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d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  ia  mdthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

V  .   '     >  .        1        *  »  '  V         ♦ 


\ 


siM:^tM 


¥• 


THRJt.^ 


T    R    A    V    E    L    S 


:<«' 


THROUGHOUT  THE 

INTERIOR    PARTS 

OF 

NORTH-AMERICA, 

:FOR   MORE    THEN 

FIVE    THOUSAND    MILES, 

CONTAINING 
AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES,  AND  ALL  THE  LAKES,  ISLANDS, 
AND  RIVERS,  CATARACTS,  MOUNTAINS,  MINERALS,  SOIL  AND  VE- 
GETAPLE  PRODUCTIONS  OF  THE  NORTH-WEST  REGIONS  OF  THAT 
VAST  CONTINENT ; 

WITH    A 

rDESCRTPTlON  ot   th*   BIRDS,  BEASTS,  REPTILES,   IN- 
SECTS, AND  FISHES   PECULIAR  TO  THE  COUNTRY. 
TOGETHER   WITH   A   CONCISE 

History  o»  t«e  genius,  manners,  and  customs 

of  the  indians 

INHABITING  THE  LANDS  THAT  LIE  ADJACENT  TO  THE  HEADS  AND 
TO  THE  WESTWARD  OF  THE  GREAT  RIVER  MISSISSIPPI  i 

AMD    AN 

APPENDIX, 

DESCRIBING  THE  UNCULTIVATED  PARTS  OF  AMERICA^ 

THAT  ARE  THE  MOST  PROPER  FOR  FORMING 

SETTLEMENTS. 

■M    '■■■     7  I     ■!■  ■  ■■  ■■■■III       ■■     ■  I  —"7    ■    T     ■     '         ,t'     ,    "  .     1      ■■     ■■■    M  ■  I  f  I    ..Ml^  III!    ■,      ILMl 

By  Captain  JONx\THAN  CARVER, 

OF  TH  b    PROVINCIAL  TROOPS  IN  AMZPICA. 


t 


m 


PRINTED 

BY  JOHN  RUSSELL,  for  CAVID  W^SV 

NO.  56,  CORNHILL,  BCSl'ON.  '       " 

J797- 


>Sfc.: 


%^ 


\ 


/VgsTQS 


SEP  1 0  1921 


•   s  • 


■■.*s=*': 


JOSEPH  BANKS,  Esq^  • 

-t         '  PRESIDENT  OF  THE 

ROTAL  SOCIjETT. 

SI  R, 

,  Jf^HEN  the  public  are  informed  that  I  have  lon^ 
had  the  honor  of  your  acquaintance-^fhat  my  deftgn  in  pub" 
lifbing  the  following  'work  has  received  your  fanSiion — 
that  the  compofttion  of  it  has  flood  the  ted  of  your  judgment — 
end  that  it  is  by  your  permtj[fton,  a  name^fo  defervedly 
eminent  in  the  literary  world  is  perfixed  to  it,  I  need  not 
be  appreherfive  ofitsfuccefs  ;  as  your  patronage  will  un^ 
quefiionably  give  them^  affurance  of  its  merit. 

For  this  public  teflimony  of  your  favor,  in  which  J  pride 
myfelfy  accept.  Sir,  my  mofl  grateful  aaknowledgments  ; 

4. 

and  believe  me  to  be,  with  great  refpeEl, 

Tour  obedient, 
bumble  Servant, 
'     J,  CARVER, 


I'i 


^Al 


h^ 


:"^ 


?c 


gn  a&ftrefe  to  ttje  lg)»Wc. 

THE  favorable  reception  this  work  has  met  with, 
-  claims  the  Author*s  mod  grateful  acknowled^i- 
mcnts.  A  large  edition  having  run  off  in  a  few 
months,  and  the  fale  appearing  to  be  flili  unabated, 
a  new  impreffion  is  become  neceflary.  On  this  oc- 
cafion  was  he  to  conceal  his  feelings  and  pafs  over  in 
filence,  a  diftinftion  fo  beneficial  and  flattering,  he 
would  jiiftly  .incur  the  imputation  of  ingratitude. 
That  he  mi^ht  not  do  this,  he  takes  the  opportunity, 
which  now  prefents  itfelf,  of  conveying  to  the  Pub- 
lic (though  in  terms  inadequate  to  the  warm  emotions 
of  hl«  heart)  the  fenfe  he  entertains  of  their  favor  ; 
and  thus  tranfmits  to  them  his  thanks. 

In  this  new  edition,  care  has  been  taken  to  re£li- 
fy  thofe  errors  which  havie  unavoidably  proceeded 
from  the  iiurry  <xf  the  prefs,  and  likewife  any  iricor- 
redltnefs  in  the  language  that  has"found  its  way  into  't. 

The  credibility  of  feme  of  the  incidents  related  in 
the  following  pages,  and  fome  of  the  ftories  introduc- 
ed ^herein,  having  been  queftioncd,  particularly  the 
prognoftication  of  the  Indian  prieft  on  the  banks  of 
liake  Superior,  and  the  (lory  of  the  Indian  and  his 
rattle  fnake,  the  autlfbr  thinks  it  neceflary  to  avail  hiiv.- 
felf  of  the  fame  opportunity,  to  endeavour  to  eradi- 
cate any  imprefllons  that  might  have  been  made  on 
the  minds  of  his  readers,  by  the  apparent  improbabi- 
lity of  thefe  relations. 

As  to  the  former,  he  has  related  it  juft:  as  it  hap- 
pened. Being  an  cye-witrefs  to  the  whole  tranfac- 
tion  (and,  he  flatters  himfelf,  at  the  time,  free  from 
every  trace  of  fceptical.  obftinacy  or  cnthufiallic  cre- 
dulity) he  was  confequently  able  to  dcfcribe  every 
circumftance  minutely  and  impartially.  This  he  has 
done  i  but  without  endeavouring  to  account  for  the 
means  by  which  it  was  aocomplilhed.  Whether  the 
prediction  was  the  refult  of  prior  obfervations,  from 
which  certain  confequences  were  expected  to  follow 

a  2 


VI 


ADDRESS. 


I? 


by  the  fagacious  pricft,  and  the  completion  of  It  mere- 
ly accidental ;  or  whether  he  was  really  endowed  with 
fupernatural  powers,  the  narrator  left  to  the  juilg- 
mcnt  of  his  readers  ;  whofc  conclufions,  he  fuppofes, 
varied  according  as  th^  mental  faculties  of  ea<:h  were 
difpofed  to  admit  tr  rejedl  fadts  that  cannot  be  ac- 
counted for  by  natural  caufes. 

The  ftory  of  the  rattle  fnake  was  related  to  him  by 
a  French  gentleman  of  undoubted  veracity ;  and  were 
the  readers  of  this  work  as  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  fagacity,  and  Inftinftlve  proceedings  of  that 
animal,  as  he  is,  they  would  be  as  well  TifTured  of  the 
truth  of  it.  It  is  well  known  that  thofe  fnakes  which 
have  lurvived  through  the  fummer  the  accidents  rep- 
tiles are  liable  to,  periodically  retire  to  the  woods,  at. 
the  approach  of  winter ;  where  each  (as  curious  obfer- 
vers  have  remarked)  takes  pofleflion  of  the  cavity  it 
had  occupied  the  preceeding  year.  As  foon  as  the 
feafon  is  propitious,  enlivened  by  the  invigorating 
rays  of  the  fun,  they  leave  thefe  retreats,  and  make 
their  way  to  the  fame  fpot,  though  ever  fo  diflant, 
on  which  they  before  had  found  fubfiflence,  and  the 
means  of  propagating  their  fpecies.  Does  it  then  re- 
quire any  extraordinary  exertlonsJof  the  mind  to  be- 
lieve, that  one  of  thefe  regular  creatures,  after  having 
been  kirdly  treated  by  its  mafter,  fliould  return  to 
ihc  box,  in  which  it  had  ufually  been  fuppjied  with 
food,  and  had  met  with  a  comfortable  abode,  and  that> 
nearly  about  the  time  the  Indian,  from  former  expe- 
riments, was  able  to  guefs  at  ?  It  certainly  does  not ; 
nor  will  the  liberal  and  ingenuous  doubt  the  truth  of 
a  ftory  fo  well  authenticated,  becaulc  the  circum- 
itances  appear  extraordinary  in  a  coiintry  where  the 
i"ubje£l  of  it  is  fcarcely  known., 

.  Thefe  explanations  the  author  hopes  will  fufRce  to 
convince  his  readers,  that  he  has  not,  as  travellers 
•are  fometimes  fuppofcd  to  do,  amufed  theni  with  im- 
probable tales,  or  wifticd  to  acquire  importance  by 
leaking  his  adventures  favor  of  the  marvellous* 


■^1 


■r  Tiv .. 


VV) 


CONTENTS. 


Introduction, 

The  Author  Jets  out  from  Bojloti  on  his  travels^ 
Dcfiription  of  fort  Mtchilimachwac, 

— fort  La  Bay, 

. the  Green  Bay, 

/ake  Michigan,  ,       .. 

Arrives  at  the  toaun  of  the  Wimiebngoes^ 
Excurfion  of  the  Wintnbagoes  towartls  the  Spanifh 

fettlenutits^         '     - 
Defcription  of  the  IVinnebago  lahc. 
It  fiance  of  refolution  of  an  Indian  -wotnany 
Defcription  of  the  Fox  River, 
Rtmarkahle  Jlory  of  a  Rattle  Snake, 
The  great  toiun  of  the  Saukies,         -  - 

Upper  town    '^  the  Otiagaumies,  - 

Defcription  of  the  Ouifconfin  River, 
Lo^uer  toivn  of  the  Oitagautnies,   or, 

Des  Chiens, 
An  attack  byfome  Indian  plunderers, 
Defcription^  the  Mifjifpppi  from  the  mouth  of  the 

Ouifconfm  to  lake  Pepin,        ■>  «• 

Jake  Pepin,         -  -  -         - 

Remarkable  ruins  of  an  tincitnt  Fortificatiofi, 
The  River  Bands  of  the  Naudoivejfie  Indians, 
Adventure  luith  a  party  of  thefe,   and  fome  of  the 

Chipeioays,  -  ,    - 

defcription  of  a  remarkable  Cave, 
Uuconmion  behaviour  of  the  Prinze  of  the  Winncba-' 

^^esatthefallsqfSt.Anihof:y,\  -      ^     - 

Defcription  cf  the  Falls,  -  -  • 

Extent  of  the  Author^ s  Travels,  •         '    - , 

Defcription  of  the  river  Si,  Pierre, 


Les  Prairies 


Seu.  ces 


5 

«3 
14 

ib, 

19 

21 

2Z 
24 

25 
26 

.27 

2hi 

3» 

lb. 


3^ 

33 
34 
35: 

37 

39' 

4^ 
42 

43 
45 


■  1 


viii  CONTENTS. 

Sources  of  the  four  great  riven  of  Ncrti'jfwertcap      46 
Refle^Iitn^  on  their  fljpniiy,  -  -  j^. 

The  I^audoivcffies  of  the  plains ^  with  whom  the  Au' 

thor  wintered  in  the  year  1 766,         -         -  47 

The  author  returns  to,  the  mouth  of  the  river  St. 

Pierrff  -  -  .  -  48 

Accoi^nt  of  a  violent  thunder  florm^         -  "       5^ 

Speech  tnade  by  the  author  in  a  council  held  by  the 

Naudowcffies  at  the  great  cave,         -  -  51 

Advi-n/ure  with  a  party  of  Indians  near  lake  Pepin ,    56 
Dtfcripiion  of  the  country   adjacent  to  the  river  St. 

Pierre,  -  -  -  .  {^p 

Account  of  different  Clays  found  »ear  the  Marble  ^ 

River,         -  -  -  -  -         (5o 

Defcription  of  the  Chipenvay  River,  -  ib. 

Extraordinary  effects  of  a  Hurricane,       -  •       61 

Ihe  author   arrived  at  the  Grand  Portage  on  the 

North'We/l  borders  of  Like  Superior,      -         -         63 
Account  of  the  lakes  lying  further  to  the  North-ive/}  : 
lake  Bourbon,  lake  Winnepeck,  lake  Du  Bois%  lake 
la  Pluye,  Red  lake,  isfc.  -  -         -  ib. 

Account  of  a  nation  of  Indians  fupp  fed  to  have  been 
tributary  to  the  Mexican  Kings,        y  -  -  69 

. ■-  • thejhining  Mountains,        ,  »    '      -         ib. 

A  fingular  predi£iion  ^  the  chief  priefl  of  the  Killif 

iinoes  verified,  r,  -  -»       ■  % 

Defcription  tf  lake  Superior,     '    - 
Story  of  the  two  Chipeways  landing  on  the  Ifiand  of 

Maurcpas,  ,  -  -  -  - 

Account  of  great  quantities  of  Copper  Ore, 
Defciiptionof  the  Falls  6f  St.  Marie, 
— ■— — —  Lake  Huron,  -  - 

Saganaum  and  Thunder  Bays, 

Extraordinary  phenomenon  in  theflraits  of  Michilli- 

mackinac,  -  "  " 

Defcription  of  lake  St.  Claire,         -         - 

'the  river,  town^  and  fort  of  Detroit, 


RmarkM  rain  at  Detmt^ 


72 
77 

7?' 

81 

82 

83 
fi4 

ib. 

87 

88 

ib. 


1.2  — — ^ 
''lij   Corn 


Oft) 
An  a 
JQefi 


"^    ^hei 


Ofi 
Pea 

The 
The 
Thi 


Attach 


'eft  : 
( lake 


C  O  N  T  E.  N  T  S.  in 

Attach  of  fori  Detroit  by  PontiaCf         •          •  89 

Defcription  of  iake  Eritt         --        -'        -          -  96 

.. -^--the  river  and  falls  ofWtagara^     -  98 

». /al/  Ontario  dtid  lake  Oniaday          -  i*'. 

-/fl-l^  Champlain,  and  lake  George^     -  lOo 


Account  of  a  trail  of  land  granted  to  Sir  Ferdinando 

Gorges,  and  captain  John  Mnfon,         -         -^  ih 

Tk  author^  s  motives  for  undertaking  his  travels,  103 

CHAPTER    i. 

^Jbe  origin  of  the  Indianrt             -             i'  ^'^^5 

Sentiments  of  varitus  writers  on  this  pointy         -  106 

Monfteur  Charlevoix^         -         -  1 1 2 

■ Jatnes  Adary  efq,          -          -          -  II7 

•'--——'^'=^^'^'-'-theauihorqfthisivorky         -           -  Til 

Corroboration  of  th»  latter  by  Doff  or  Robertfon,     -  125 

chapter:  It 

Of  the  perfonsy  drefsy  t^c,  of  the  Indians y         -  ^^7 
An  account  ofthofe  nuho  have  written  on  this  fubjeHy    ;<?. 

J)efcription  of  the  perfons  cf  the  Jndiansy         -  1 29 

— — "    their  drcfsy       -         -*.-         m  i^o 

'-"^ihc'  drefs  of  the  OttagaumieSy       -  133 

"■  ■'   ' --the  drefs  of  the  NaitdoweffieSy          -  ib', 

The  manner  in  nuhich  (hey  build  their  tents  and  hutSy  1 34 

Their  domeftic  utenflsy      .   -         -         -         -  135 

c  H  A  p  T  ER  in; 

Of  the  manners y  qualifications y  (2fc.  of  the  Indians,  136 

Peculiar  cufloms  of  the' ivomeny            .-            -  ib. 

The  circumfpea  andfloical  difpofttion  of  the  men,     -  137 

Theit  amazing fagacityy            -         -             -  139 
The  liberality  of  the  Indians,  and  their  opinion  ref- 

peffing  money,              -              .              -  ijo 

*  -'      •  CHAPTJeR 


1 


e  O  N  T  E  N  T  S. 


M 


CHAPTER    IV. 

^eir  method  of  reckoning  timey  isfc,         - 
The  names  by  'W^loicb  they  diftingujpf  the  mnths, 
^heir  idea  if  the  ufi  of  figures i 

CH  A  t^tElt    V. 

Of  their  givifrnment^  tsfc»  -  •*  - 

^heir  div'Jion  into  tribes ^     -  -  - 

^he  chirfs  of  their  bands,         -  -, »        - 

Thf  members  that  comptfe  their  iotdiicih, 

*     CHAPTER     VI, 

Of  their  feajfs-f  -  •*   '  ►* 

uheir  ujual foody     • 


-A 

T45 


147 
ib. 
ib. 

-  149 


I5« 
15I 


Their  manner  of  drejfng  and  eating  their  viSfualsy     ib* 
CHAPTER    VII. 


15? 
ib. 

ib. 


Of  their  dances,  -  •*  •  h  ■ 

uhe  mantwr  in  which  th$y  dance,  -  * 

.  The  pipe  or  calumet  dan:e,  »!» 

'Ji6tf  7^ar  dance,         -  -         *    -       .*  .*!  - 

^1  he  Paww(.w  dance,         -  *  -  155 

irf «  uncommon  admiffion  inic  afi<  'ety  among  the  Nau- 

doiuej^s^  -  -  -  -         Ijf6 

The  dur.^e.  of  the  Indians  m  the  banks  of  the  Mifft- 

Jfippi,  referred  to  in  the  Jturkal,         •  -      T(5o 

The  dance  of  the  fccrifice,  -        »      -^  162 

CHAPTER    %II. 

Of  their  hunting,  -  -  -  163 

Their  preparation  before  they  fet  out,        -  j*^. 

Their  manner  of  huftting  the  Bear,         •  165 

.1 »  Buffaloe,  Deer,  &c.     ib. 

Beaver,         -  166 

CHAPTER 


det. 

i 

Icute 

t 

\Their 
[The  m 
t 
A  rev 

i 

Treat 

The  0 


Ofth 
Accoi 

Man. 
Defc 


Oft 
The 


nthSt 

-         ib. 

- 

^45 

i^'-'-  '  ' 

w 

147 

- 

ib. 

m 

ib. 

CO  ;^  TE  N  T  S. 


914 


#■ 


CHAPTER    IX. 


171 

»73 


2f  their  mannsr  of  maklfig  vfarf&c.  -        169 

n^ff  Indian  weapons j  -    j^i|||?  *         '*^' 

^yjrfir  motives  for  m(iking  tv/w,  ^^  * 
^reparations  before  they  take  the  fields 
yrhe  manner  in  which  theyfolicit  0*bernatiohs  to  be- 
come their  auxiliaries  <,  -  -         175 
^heir  manner  of  declaring  war,              -  17^ 
^he  method  of  engaging  their  enemies  J           -       17B 
tn  In/lance  of  the  efficacy  of  it  in  the  defeat  of 
General  Bradaocky         -          -          -         i79 
detail  of  the  majfacre  at  Fort  William  Henry 
in  the  year  1757,             -          -          -         i^^ 
icutenefs  and  alacrity  of  the  Indians  in  furfuing 
their  enemies ,             -             -         ; .'  >     '    188 
yrheir  manner  of fcalpingy          -          -           -/        ib. 
The  manner  in  which  they  retreat ,  and  carry  off 
their  frijhnersy             -             -             -        i 
\A  remarkable  infiance  of  heroifm  in  a  Female 

prifoner,  -  -  -  ^        -  191 

Treatment  of  their  prifoners,    .      -  -         192 

The  origin  of  their  fetUngJlavesy         -         -       19^ 


«*■*-■ 


CHAPTER     X. 


Of  their  manner  of  making  peace ,  &c.  --  20 1 
[Account  of  an  engagement  between  the  Iroquoil 
'  and  the  Ottagaumies  and  Sauk  es  -  '  -2.02. 
Manner  in  which  they  conduct  a  treaty  of  peace  ^  2)05 
Defcription  of  the  pipe  ofpeace,  -  -  '  206 
rkelts  of  wampum  y          -  207 


CHAPTER    XI. 


Of  their  games y  - 

The  game  of  the  hall, 

— — — , — bowl  or  plfltt&ry 


2o3 
ib, 

CHAPTER 


^    ''\ 


mf 


Ota 


CONTENTS. 


C  H  AFTER    XII. 

Of  thetr  marriage  ceremonies^          -          -  2io 
The  manner  in  luhich  the  tribes  near  Canada 

celebrate  their  marriages^        -          -  an 

The  form  of  marriage  among  theNaudoiveffiesy  213 

Their  manner  of  carrying  on  an  Intrigue y       -  216 

Of  the  Indian  names ^           -           -           -  ib* 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R     XIII. 

Qf  their  religion^ 
Their  ideas  of  a  fupremg  beings 
-future  Jlate^ 


^f*' 


»■  ■  ■'  — ' 


2l8 

219 
220 

ib. 


Of  their  priefl's^ 
The  fentiments  of  others  on  the  religious  principles 
,    of  the  Indians  oppofed,         -  .-  22 1 

CHAPTER     XIV. 

Of  their  difeafe,  i'^c,          -           -             -  '  223 

The  complaints  to  -which  they  are  chiefly  fuhjeSi^  ib. 
The  manner  in  which  they  conflrudi  their/weating 

Stoves^          -             -            .,            -  224 

The  methods  in  which  they  treat  iheif  dif^fes^  225 
An  extraordinary  inflance  of  the  judgment  of  an  In* 

dian  /women 9  ifi  0  defptrate  caf*             -  ^27 

C  H  A  P  T  E  R    XV. 

.s 

The  manner  in  which  they  treat  their  dead,         -  228 

^fpecimen  of  their  funeral  ha^'rangues,         -         -  230 

^heir  method  of  burying  thei-  dead,  -  -  ib. 
Aftngular  inflame  of  parental  ajfe&ion  in  a  Nau- 

dowejlfie  weman,             -             -             -  231 

C  H  A  P  T  E  R,    XVI. 

jd  concife  charaSler  of  the  Indians,         -         »         234 
.  Their 


CONTENTS. 


^m 


* 

2XO 

add 

- 

211 

^ffiesy 

213 

) 

216 

/ 

ib. 

2l8 

f" 

219 

. 

220 

_ 

ib. 

inciples 


22£ 


;     223 

uhje^,     ib, 
weating 

224 
eafes,    225 
an  Iri' 

?27 


-      228 
-  230 
ib. 
Nau* 

231 


234 
Their 


ndr  pif/onai  ^nd  mental  ^aiifications,         -       234 
^Thiir  public  charaSter  as  members  of  a  CMtmunity,  235 

C  H  A  P  T  E  R    XVU. 

Of  their  Language^  Hieroglyphics t  tstc* 
Of  the  Chipeivay  tfi^ue,         -  -  - 

JUefcriptive  Specimen  of  their  Hieroglyphics,  ^c. 
Voeahulury  of  the  Chipeivay  language,      •   - 
Naudoweffie  language, 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 


237^ 
.238 

239 
ib. 

249 


:'^ 


y4^fthe  Meafis,  Birds,  Ftjbes,  Repiilet,  and  JnfeEls, 
which  are  found  in  the  interior  parts  of  North' 
America,         -  •    \       -  •  *54 

S    E    A    S    T    S. 

fthe  Tiger,    JBear,          -         ^  «          -         /^, 
TTjcTVolf    Fox,    Dogs,     Cat  of  the  mountain,     256 

The  Buffalo,     Deer,     £lk,         -  t       ^        256 

The  Moofe,     Qarraboo,         » ,      •  »         -      25? 

ne  Carcajou,     iSkuni,       -         -  -         -        259 

T'he  Porci^ne,         -             -         -  -         -     260 

The  Wood-chucks     Racoon,     Marten,  MiiJquqPj,26i 

Squirrels,     Beaver,         -           -  •.         -          262 

]The  Otter,     Mink,            -          -  -         -    266 


B    1    R    D    S. 


y^t  57)^  -E^ic.     iSTri^/  Hanvk,     Whipperivill,  -       »i. 

1 1  The  Fijh  Hawk,     Oivl.      Crane,         -         -  269 

\  Ducks.     Teal.     Lo9n.     Partridge,         -  -      270 

The  Wood  Pigeon,     Woodpecker,     Blue  Jay,  Wakon 

Bird.              -              -         '     m              m  271 

^  The  Black  Bird.     RedBird.     Whetfaw^        -    .:a72 

The  King  Bird,     Humming  Bird,      -«  -    -  27  j' 

A  FISHSS 


XIV 


C  0*N  T  E  N  T  S. 


f    I    S.H    E.  Sv> 


•i,  .,  i 


^ 

3 


J* 


7  he  Sturgeon,  «. 

T/&f  Caijijh.     Carp,     Chub, 


274 


S     E    R    i»    E    N    ^   S, 


'The  Rattle  Snake,  -         ;^  ^  -         275: 

^/6^  Long  Black  Snake,     ^irip^  or  Garter  .Snake. 

It^ater  Snak.'.     Hijfmg  Snake.     Green  Snake,  .  279 
IThe  Thorn-tail  bnake.    Specked  Snake,    Kwg  Snake. 
"^  tiuo'headed  Snake,     'Tortotfe  or  land  Turtle,     -      ih, 

L    I  *Z    A    R    D    S. 

T/'ie  Swift  Lizcfrd.     Slow  Lizard.     Tree  Tocfi,     280 
.      INSECTS, 

Thf  Silk  Worm.     Tobacco  Worm*     Bee,     Lights 

ning  Bug  or  Fire  Fly,  ^  '       -         ••  2^82 

Th^  Water  Bug,     Horned  Bu^,     Locufi^        "  '    28^3 

CHAPTER    XIX.  ' 

0/thfi  Trges^  Shrubs,  Roots,  Herbs,  Flowers,  ^c,  284 

TREES.' 

The  Oak,         -'         -       '  -         ,.         -  ,         ib. 

The  Pine  Tree.     Maple..    Apj^         -  -          285 

^4^he  Heihkck  Tree.     %fs  or  Whitt  Wood.  Wick* 

pkk  or  Suchwick,     Button  Woo^,        »  -       285 

*N    U   T     TREES; 

The  Butter  or  Oil  Nut,    Biich  Nuty       '»     -      287 
The  Pecan  Nut,  *  Hichry,        -        «        -        288 

FRUIT 


% 


G  O  N  T  EN  T  S. 


jr? 


F    R    tr    I  "T      T    RE    E    S. 

T^e  Vine,  -         -         -         -         -         -         /^. 

T^^  Mulbery   Tree.     Crab  A[^pk    Tree.      Plum 
Tree.     ChepryTf^e.     iiiveet  Gum  Tree,       -      289 

'gi.  H    R    U    B    S. 

The  IVillonv.  Shin  lVo.^i.  Su/afras,  -  '  290 
The    Prickly    ^Jb.     Moofe^^ooil.      Spoon    JVoccI, 

Elder  i         -         -   ,-  -         -         -  291 

The   Shrub  pak.      Witch   Hazle.     Myrtle   Wax 

Tree.  Winter  Greeny  -  -  -  -  292 
The  Fever  Bujh,     Crtutberry  Bvjh,     Chcai  Berry ^  293 

ROOTS    and    PLANT  S. 

Spikenard.     Sarfaparilla.     Ginfang^        -         -        294 
Gold  Thread.     Solomon* s  Seal.    Devil's  Bit.    Blood 
Hoof,         -         -  -         -         -  -         79^ 

KERB    S. 

Satuch.      Raiile  Snake  Plantain i  -  -  297' 

Poor  Robbings  Plantain.  Toad  Plantain.  Roch 
Liverwort.  Gar  git  or  Shle.  &kt,'nk  Cottage 
or  Poke.     Wake  Robin.  -  -  -  ib. 

Wild  Indigo.     Cat  Mint,  -  -.         -  299 

FLOWERS, 

FARINACEOUS  and  LEGUMINOUS 

R  O  O  T  S,  ^^.  I 

Maixe  or  Indian  Corn.  Wild  Rie»,  -  -  300 
Beans.     T.he  Squajh,         -         -  ■   .    .         -  302 

APPEN- 


i>^' 


i 


ivi  CONTENTS. 


APPENDIX. 

T^e  probability  of  the  interior  parts  of,  North^jime' 

rica  becoming  commercial  colonies i  -  -  3&J. 
^he  means  by  ivhichthis  might  be  effeSfedy  -  304^ 
^raEls  sf  land  pointed  outyon  tvhicb  colonies  may  be 

e/tablifjed  nmth  the  greaieji  advauUige^  -  306' 
Dtjfertation  on  the  difcovery  of  a  North-%ueJ}  pajfage^  3,.!  o 
^he  moji  certain  luay  of  atta^ig  iff         -       *  -  ib,- 

Piatt  pr^pofedhy  Richard  WhU'Worth^  ^*for  mai" 

ingan  attempt fritn  a  quarter  Uihtrtif'Ji^fAUredf  3.1  % 
^f  reafmifitj  heifigjp^/lfMed^        »"  '^^if      -      H*. 


4r- 


m 


'■«  i*.".;         ' 


INTRCK 


'■>%: 


INTRODUCTION. 


N. 


O  fooner  was  the  late  war  M'ith ,  France 
concluded,   and  peace  eftabliihed  by  the  treaty  of 
Verfailles  in  theyear  170I,  than  I  began  to   confi- 
der  (having  rendered  my  country  fome  fcrvices  dur- 
ing the  war)  How  I  might  continue  ftill  ferviceable,. 
and  contribute,  as  much  as  lay  in  my  power,  to  make 
that  vait  acquifition  of  territory,  gained  by    Creal- 
Britjfin  in   North- America,   advantageous  to  it.     It 
appeared  tome  indifpenfably  needful,   that   govern- 
ment fhould  be  acquainted,   in  the  firft  place,  with, 
the  true  ftate  of  the  dominions  rhev  were  new   be- 
come pofl'dled  of.     To  this  purpofe,    I  determined,, 
as  the  next  proof  of  my  zeal,  to  explore  the  moft  un- 
known parts  of  them,  and  to  fpare  no  trouble  or  ex- 
pence  in  acquiring  a  knowledge  that  promifed  -to  be 
io  ufeful  to  my  countrymen.     I  knew  that  many  ob- 
ftru£^ions  would  arife  to  my  fcheme  from  the  want 
of  good  Maps  and  Charts  i  for  the   French,  whilft. 
they  retained   their  power  in   North-America,   had 
taken  every  artful  method  to  keep  ail  other  nations, 
particularly  the  Englifh,  in  ignorance  of  the  concerns 
of  the  interior  parts  of  it :  and   to  accomplifli  this 
defign  with  the  greater  certainty,  they  had  pnbliihed 
inaccurate  Maps  and  falfe  accounts ;  calling  the  dif- 
ferent nations  of  tli&  Indians  by  nicknames  they  had 
given  them,  and  not  by  thofe  really  appertaining  to 
3iem.    "Whether  the  intention  of  the  French  in  do- 
ing this,  was  to  prevent  thefe  nations  from  being  dif- 
covered  and  traded  with,  or  to  conceal  their  difcourfe, 
when  they  talked  to  each  other  of  the  Indian  con- 
cerns, in  th^ir  prefence,  I  will  not  determine  5  but 
vhatfocver  was  th^  caufe  from  which  it  afroe,  it 
tended  to  miileacL  A  2  As 


INTRODUCTION. 


r 

I 


>\i 


% 


As  a  proof  that  the  Englifh  had  been  greatly  de- 
ceived by  thefe  accounts,  and'  that  their  knowltdgc 
relative  to  Canada  had  ufually  been  very  confined  } 
— before  the  conqueft  of  Crown-Point  in  1759,  it 
liad  been  cfteemed  an  impregnable  fortrefs  ;  but  no 
fooner  was  it  taicen,  than  we  were  convinced  that  it 
had  acquired  its  grcateft  fecurity  from  falfe  reports, 
given  out  by  its  pofl'tflbrsi  «wnd  might  have  been  bat-* 
tered  down  with  a  few  four  pounders.  Even  its  fitu- 
ation,  which  was  reprefented  to  be  fo  very  advantage- 
ous, was  found  to  o\^'e  its  advantages  ^'to  the  fame 
fource.  It  pannot  be  denied  but  that  fome  Maps  of 
thefe  countries  have  been  publiibed  by  the  $'rench 
with  an  appearance  of  accuracy  }  but  thefe  are  of  fo 
fmall  af  Hze  and  drawn  on  fo  minute  a  fcale,  that 
they  are  nearly  inexplicable;  The  four^bs  of  the 
Miffifippi,  I  can  aflert  from  my  own  experience, 
are  greatly  mifplaced  ;  for  when  I  had  explored 
them,  and  compared  their  fituation  with  the  French 
Charts,  I  found  them  very  erroneoufly  reprefented, 
and  am  fatisfied  that  thefe  were  only  co|)ied  from  the 
rude  fketches  of  the  Indians. 

Even  fo  lately  as  their  evacuation  of  Canada,  they 
continued  their  fchcmes  to  deceive  j  leaving  no  trac- 
es by  which  any  knowledge  might  accrue  to  their 
conquerors  ;  f6r  although  they  were  well  acquainted 
with  all  tlie  Lakes,  particularly  with  Lake  Superior, 
having  conftantly  a  veffel  of  confiderable  burden 
thereon,  yet  their  plans  ctf  them  are  very  incorrect. 
I  difcovered  many  errors  in  .he  defcriptions  given 
therein  of  its  iilands  and  bays,  during>  a  progrefs  of 
eleven  hundred  miles  thac  I  coailed  it  in  canoes. 
They  like^ife,  on  giving  up  the  poffeffion  of  them, 
took  care  to  leave  the  places  they  had  occupied,'  in 
the  fame  tincultrvated  fiate  they  had  found  them  ;  at 
the  fame  time  ddtrbying  all  their  naval  force.  I  ob- 
icrVed  myfclf  part  of  the  huljc  of  a  very  large  vfeffel, 
Inirnt  to  the  water's  edge,  juft  at  the  opening  from  the 
Strait!^  of  §t,  Marie  iiitg  the  L^e.^  T4ke& 


'iy 


n 


INTRODUCTION. 


Thefe  cU^cuUiei,  however  were  not  fufficient  to 
deter  me  from  the  undertaking,  and  I  made  prepara- 
tions for  fetting  out.  Wha  I  chiefly  had  in  view, 
after  gaining  a  knowledgjs  of  the  manners,  cuCtoms, 
languages,  k^  and- natural  produ^ion$  9f  the  di^- 
rent  nation*  that  inhabit  the  back  of  the  Mifli  Cppi, 
was  to  afcertain  the  breadth  of  that  vail  continent, 
which  extenciRrom  the  Atlantic  to  the  PacificOcean, 
in  its  broadeft  part  between  43  and  46  degrees  north- 
ern latitude*  Had  I  been  able  to  accomplifti  this,  I 
intended  to^i^ve  propofed  to  government  to  eilabllfh 
a  poft  in  fomcof  thofe  parts  about  the  Straits  of  An- 
whi^h»  haying  been   firft  diicovered.  by  Sir 


nian< 


Francis  Drake,  of  courfe  belong  to  the  Englifh. 
This  I  am  convinced  would  greatly  facilitate  the  dif- 
covery  of  a  Northweft  paifage,  or  a  cominunlcation 
between  Hudfon*s  bay  and  the  Pacific  Ocean.  An 
event  fo  defiral?le,  and  "Vfhjch  has  been  fo  often 
fought  for,  but  without  fucc«fs.  Befides  this  impor- 
tant end*  a  fettlement  on  that  extremity  of  America 
would  anlwpr  many  good  purppfes,  a.nd  repay  every 
expence  tlie  eilabli(hment  of  it  might  occalion.  For 
it  would  not  only  difclofe  new  fources  of  trade,  and 
promote  «iany  ufeful  difcoveries,  but  would  open  a; 
paflage forconveying  intelligence  to  China^  and  the 
£ngH(h  fettlements  in  the  Bail  Indies,  with  greater 
expedition  than  a  tedious  voyage  by  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  or  the  Straits  of  Magellan  will  allow  of.. 
How  far  the  advantages  arifing  from  fuch  an  enter- 
prize,  may  extend,  can  only  be  afcertained  by  the  fa>r 
vorabie concurrence  of  future  events.  But  that  the 
completion  of  the  fchemcj  I  have  had  the  honor  of 
firft  planning  and  attempting,  \^j|l  fomc  time  or  other 
be  e^£ted,  I  make  no  doubt.  From  tlie  unhappy 
divifions  that  at  prefent  fubfiftbetween  GreatrBritaia 
and  America,  it  will  probably  be  fome  years  before 
the  attempt  is  repeated  }  but.  whenever  it  is,  and  the 
execution  ol  it  «iarried  en  widi  propriety,  thpfe  wha 

I  ace 


Nr 


v 


SI   ;  I 


U  flUTRODUCTIOK. 

art  fo  fortunate  as  to  fucceedi  will  reap,  cxcluAVe  of 
the  national  advantages  that  mufl  enfue,  emoluments 
beyond  their  moft  fangiiiiie  expedtations.  And  whilft 
their  fpirits  are  elated  by-  their  fuccefs,  perhaps  they 
may  beftoW  ibme  commendations  and  hlefllngs  on  the 
perfon  who  firil.  pointed  out  to  them  the  way.  Thefe, 
though  but  a  (hadowy  recompence  for  all  my  toil,  I 
fliall  receive  ^vith  pleafure*  ^ 

To  what  power  or  authority  this  new  world  will 
become  dependent,,  after  it  has  arifen  from  its  pre- 
fent  uncuhivated  ilate,  time  alone  can  difcover.  fiut 
as  the  feat  of  empire  from  time  immemorial  has 
been  gradually  progreflive  towards  the  weft,  there  is 
no  doubt  but  that  at  fome  future  period,  mighty  king- 
doms will  emerge  from  thefe  wildernefles,  ancl  ftatc- 
ly  palaces  and  folemn  temples,  with  guilded  fpires 
reaching  the  (kies,  fupplant  the  Indian  huts,  whofe 
only  decorations  are  the  barbarous  trophies  of  their 
vanquiihed  enemies. 

As  fome  of  the  preceding  paflages   have  already 
informed  the  reader  that  the  plan  I'  had  laid  down 
for  penetrating  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  proved  abor*. 
tive,   it  is  neceflary  to^dd^  that  this  proceeded  not 
from  its  imprafticability  (for  the  further  I  went  the 
more  convinced  I  was  ihat  it  could   certainly  be  ac- 
compliftied)'  but  from   unforefeen  difappointments* 
However,  I  proceeded  fd  iis^  that  I  was  able  to  make 
fuch  difcovcries  as  will  be  ufeful  in   any  future   zu 
tempt,  and  prove  a  good  foundation  for   fome  more 
fortunate  fucceffbr  to  build  upon*     Thefe  I  Ihall  now 
lay  before   the  public   in  the  following  pages  ^  and 
am  fatisfied  that  the  greateft  part  of  them  have  never 
T3een  publiflied  by  anv  perfon  that  has  hitherto  treat- 
ed oi  the  interior  nations  of  the  Indians  i  particular* 
ly,  the  account  I  give  of  the  NaudoweiFies,  and  the 
fituation  of  the  heads  of  the  four   great   rivers  that 
take  their  rife  within  a  few  leagues  of  each  other, 
nearly  about  the  center  of  this  great  (continent,  vi^ 

Th«. 


.«*! 


INTRODt/CTION. 


T^e  river  Bourbon^  which  empties  itfcif  into  Hud- 
fon's  bay  i  the  waters  of  Saint  Lawrence  j  the  Mif- 
fifippii    and  the  river  Oreian,  or  the   river  of  the 
weft,  that  faUs  into  the  Pacific  Ocean,  at  the  Str^itd> 
of  Annian; 

The  impediments  that  occaCcned  my  retorning, 
before  I  had  accompliflied  my  purpofes,  were  thefc. 
Gn  my  arrival  at  Michillimackinac,  the  rcmotell 
iinglilh  port,  in  September  1766,  I  applied  to  Mr. 
RoEers,  who  was  then  Governor  of  it,  to  furniib  me 
with  a  proper  aflbrtmcnt  of  goods^  as  prefents  for  the 
Indians  wholnhabit  the  track  I  intended  to  purfue. 
He  did  this  only  in  part;  but  promifed  to  fupply  me 
with  fuchM  were  ncceffary,  wHen^I  reached  the  Falls 
of  Saint  Amhonj.  I  afterwards  learned  that  the  Go- 
vernor ifolfifled  hb  promife  in  ordering  the  good  to  be 
delivered  tome  ;  but  thofe  to  whofe  care  he  intruft- 
ed  thenii  inftead  of  conforming  to  his  orders  difpofed 
of  them  elfcwhere. 

Difappointed  in  my  expirations  from  this  quart#y 
I  thought  it  neceflary  to  return  to  La  Prairie  Le  Chi- 
en  I  for  it  was  impoiiible  to  proc'eed  any  further 
without  prefents  to  enfure  me  a  favorable  reception* 
This  I  did  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1767,  and 
finding  my  progrefs  to  the  weft  ward  thus  retarded,  I 
determined  to  dire^^my  courfe  northward.  I  took 
this  ftep  with  a  view  of  finding  a  communication 
from  the  heads  of  the  Miffiffippi  into  Lake  Superior, 
in  order  to  meet,  at  the  grand  Portage  on  the  North- 
weft  fide  of  thal^lake,  the  traders  that  ufually  come, 
about  this  feafon,  from  Michillimackinac,  Of  thefe 
I  intended  to  purchafe  goods,  and  then  to  purfue  my 
journey  from  that  quarter,  by  way  of  the  lakes  du 
Pluye,  Dubois,  and  Ounipique  to  the  heads  of  the 
river  of  the  weft,  which,  as  I  have  faid  before,  falls 
into  the  Straits  of  Annian,  the  termination  of  my  in- 
tended progrefs* 

lac*. 


hi 


,t . 


{V-:: 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


^ 


1^1. 


I 


it 


I  accempHihed.the  former  part  of  my  dcfign^  and! 
.  ire^cbccl  lake  Superior  in.  proper  time  \  but  unluckily 
tho  tnKicrsI  met)theiryac<)uainted  mc  chat  they  haii|| 
no  gOAds  to  (p9,r%  v  thbfc  they  had  with/  them  beir^f 
barely  fufficient  to  anfwer  their  own  dem.inds  iathcf{| 
fcnnote  patts.     Thus  difap-poir.ted  a   fccond   time.  If 
found  myfcJf  obliged  to  return  to  the  place    tromj 
Hfhence  1  began    my  expedition,  which  I  did   after] 
continuing  fojfne.monlhs  on  the  north  and  eall  bor. 
ders  t)£)j|»^e  Superior)   artd  exploring  tic    bays    andS 
rivers,  tbiit  empty,  liiemfclv)e8  into  lliis  largt  bcdy  of] 

A^rittmay 'be  tBgfHMiihut  I.  fhoUld  toy  bcf6rc  tliej 
puPicthe  reafons  thtttliei^  difcoTcries,  ^H  fo  much^ 
importance  to  every  one  who  has  my   conne£tioiis 
mith  America,  liAvc  not  been  imparted  to  them  be. 
fore^  notwitfeflHnding  tbtT  were  made   upwards   of^ 
ten  years  agQ>  I  will  gsve  tbem  to  the  world  in  a.  plain^'^1 
and  candid  manner,  and  without  miiigHng  with  themf 
%ny  complaAJil9  on  account  of  the  ill  treatment  I  havef 
received* 

On  my  Arvival  in  England,  I  prefented  a  petitionl 
to  his  majefty  in  Council,  praying  for  a  reimbUrfe-U 
ment  o^thofe  fums  I  had  expended  in  the  fervicc  otV 
government.  This  was  referred  to  the  lords  com-j 
miflioners  of  trade  and  plantations.  Their  lordihips,' 
from  the  tenor  of  it  thought  the  intelligence  I  could  J 
give,  of  fo  nAich  importance  to  the  nation,  t'lat  they^ 
ordered  me  to  appear, before  the  board.  This  meA- 
age  I  obeyed,  and  underwent  a  Ipng  examination  \\ 
much  I  believe  to  the  fatisfa£Vion  of  every  lord  pre- 
fent.  "When  it  was  finiflsed,  I  requtfted  to  knoAvj 
what  I  fhouid  do  with  my  papers  ;  Without  hefitr-j 
tion  the  firft  lord  replied,  that  I  might  publifh  them: 
whenever  I  pleafed.  In  eonfequcnce  of  this  permifl'i- 
on,  I  difpofed  of  them, to  a  bookfeller  ;  but  when 
they  were  nearly  ready  for  the  prcfs,  an  order  wasi 
iSokd  from  the  council  board,  requiring  me  to  delivery| 

without 


I  N  T  R  0  D  17  C  T  X  0  jr. 


II 


riihout  (IcUy,   into   the  ploiitatimi  office,  all   my 

Charts  and  Jcumals,  with  every  paper  relative  to  the 

lifcoverics  I  had  n.>»4e.    In  order  to  obey  this  com- 

land,  I  was  obliged  to  rc-purch^  them   from  the 

^ookfcUcr  at  a  very  great  expence  and  deHver  rfiem 

Ip^   'This  frcfh  difbiirfcment  I  endeavored  to  get 

innexed  to  the  actJount  I  ha<l  already  delivered  in  ; 

)ut   the  requcft  was  denied  mc,   no^withftanding  I 

lad  only  adicd,  in  the'dif^ofal  of  my   papers,   con- 

)rmably  to  the  pcrmiflion  I  had  received   from   the 

loard  of  trade.     This  lofs,   which  amounted  to  a 

:ry  confid^rable  ium,  I  was  obliged  to  bear,  and  to 

;ft  fatisfied  with  an  indemnification   for  iny   other 

(pences. 

ThuvS  fituated,  my  only  expeftations  are  from  the 
ivor  of  a  generous  |»ublic  j  to  whom  I  ftiall  now  com- 
lunicate  my   Plans,  Journals,  and  Obfervations,  of 
^htch  I  luckily  kept  copies,  when  I   delivered  the 
)rigina}8  into  the  plantation  office.    And  this  I  do 
^he  more  readilv,   as  I  hear  they  are  miflaid  ;  and  ' 
mcfc  isno  probaoility  of  their  ever  being  publifhed. 
To  tfeofe  who  are  intereftcd  in  .  the  coaccrns   of  the 
Interior  parts  of  North- America,  from  the  contiguity 
)f  their  pofleffions,  or  commercial,  engagements,  they 
Iwill  be  extremely  ufeful,  and  fully  repay  the  fum  at 
^hich  they  arc  purchafed.     To  thofe,  who,  from  a 
[audable  curiofity,   wifh  to  be  -acquainted  with  the 
lanners   and  cuftoms  of  every  inhabitant  of  this 
jlobe,  the  accounts  here  given  of  the  various  nations 
that  inhabit  fo  vaft  a  tradt  of  it,  a  country  hitherto  aU 
[moft  unexplored,  will  furnilh  art  ample   fund  of  a- 
[mufement,  and  gratify  their  moft  curious   expe<^a- 
[tions.     And  I  flatter  myfelf  they  will  be  as  favorably 
received  by   the   public,   as  defcriptions  of  ifland$„ 
[which  afford  no  other  entertainment  thafn  what  arifes 
[from  their  novelty  ;  and  difcoveries,  that  feem  to  pro* 
mifevery  few  advantages  to  this  country,  though  ac- 
.quired  at  an  immet\fe  expence. 

To 


K- 


t- 


i  )i 


w 


Tft 


I N  T  E  O  D  U  C  T  I  O  N. 


i 


To  make  the  IbMowitig  work  as  coraprehcnfibk 
and  entertaining  S3  pci&bk,  I  Ihallfirft  give  my  rend- 
ers an  account  of  the  route  I  purfued  over  this  im- 
inenfe  continent^  attd  as  I  pals  on,  defcribe  the  nurn- 
4)er  of  inhabitants,  the  fltuation  of  the  rivers  and  lakes, 
andthe.produdlions  of  the  country.  Having  done 
this,  I  (hall  treat,  indiftindt  chapters,  of  the  manners, 
cuftoms,  and  languages  of  the  Indians,  and  to  com- 
plete the  whole,  add  a  vocabulary  of  the  words  moft- 
ly  in  ufe  among  them. 

And  here  it  is  neceflary  to  befpeak  the  candor  of 
the  learned  part  of  my  readers  in  the  perufal  of  it,  as 
it  is  the  prcdudlion  of  a  perfon  unufed,  from  oppo- 
fite  avccations,  to  literary  purfuits.  He  therefore 
begs  they  would  not  examine  it  with  too  critical  an 
eye  ;  efpecially  %vhen  he  afliires  them  that  his  atten* 
tion  has  been  more  employed  on  giving  a  juft  def»- 
cription  of  a  country  that  promifes,  in  foii-e  future 
period,  to  be  an  inexhauftible  fource  of  riches  to  that 
people  who  (hall  be  fo  fortunate  as  to  poiTefs  it,  than 
on  the  ftyle  or  compofition ;  and  more  careful  to  ren- 
der his  language  intelligible  and  explicit,  than  fmooth 
jind  florid. 


A  JOURNAL. 


J    O    U   R   N   A   L 


OF   THE 


T    R     A    V    EL    S, 


WITH   A 


DESCRIPTION 


OF   THE 

COUNTRY,     LAKES,     i:fc. 


In  June  1766,  I  fet  out  from  Bofton,  and  pro-^ 
teededby  way  of  Albany  and  Niagara,  to  MichilHmack- 
inac,  a  fort  fituated  between  the  lakes  Huron  and 
Michigan,  and  diflant  from  Bofton  1 300  miles.  This 
being  the  uttermoll  of  our  fadlories  towards  the  north- 
weft,  I  confidered  it  as  the  moft  convenient  place  from 
•whence  I  could  begin  my  intended  progrefs,  and  enter 
at  once  into  the  regions  I  deligned  to  explore. 

Referring  my  readers  to  the  publications  already  ex- 
tant for  an  account  of  iHofe  parts  of  Norih-Ainerica, 
that  from  lying  adjacent  to  the  back  fettlcnients,  have 
been  frequently  acfcribed,!  (liall  confine  myfelftoa  de- 
fcription  of  the  more  interior  parts  of  it,  which,  having 
been  but  feldom  vifited,  are  confequently  but  little 
known.  In  doiiig  this,  I  fliall  in  no  inftance  exceed  the 
bounds  of  truth,  or  have  recourfe  to  thofe  ufelefs  and 
extravagaiit  ervaggcrations  tpo  often  made  ufeof  by  tra- 
vellers, to  excite  the  curioiity  of  the  public,  or  to  in- 
crcafe  their  own  importance.  Nor  llrali  I  infert  any 
obfervations,  but  fuch  as  1  have  made  myfelf,  or  from 
Ji  the 


m^'' 


i'r^',' 


M 


CAR\'ER's  TRAVELS. 


■*,ii 


the  cre^ribiL'ty  of  thofc  by  whom  tliey  were  rclatcdi 
am  cnvibletl  to  vouch  for  their  authenticity. 

Michiilimackinac,  from  whence  I  begani  my  travels, 
is  a  fort  ccmpofed  of  a  ftrong  ftocka Je,  and  i8  ufually 
defended  by  a  garrifon  of  one  hundred  men.  It  con- 
tains about  thirty  houfts,  one  of  which  belongs  to  the 
Governor,  and  another  to  the  GommiiFary.  Several 
traders  alio  dwell  within  its  fortifications, who  find  it  a 
convenient  fituation  to  traffic  with  th«  neighbouring 
nations.  Michiilimackinac,  in  the  language  of  the 
Chipeway  Indians,  fignifies  a  Tortoifc  ;  and  the  place 
is  fuppofed  to  recieve  its  name  from  an  ifland,  lying 
r.bout  iixor  fcven  milco  to  the  north-cafl,  within  fight 
of  t]fic  fort,  which  has  the  appearanc<^  of  tha,t  animal. 
During  the  Indian  war  that  followed  foon  after  the 
conquefl  of  Canada  in  the  year  1763,  and  which  was 
carried  on  by  an  army  of  confederate  nations,  com- 
'pofedof  the  Hurons,  Miamies,  Chjipeways,OtLo\vaws, 
*  i*ontowattimies,  MilFiiraugcs,  and  fome  other  tribes, 
under  the  dire^lion  of  Pontiac,  a  celebrated  Indian 
warrior,  who  had  always  been  in  the  French  intereft, 
k  was  taken  by  furprize  in  the  following  manner  :  the 
Indians  having  fettled  their  plan,  drew  near  the  fort, 
and  began  a  game  at  ball,  a  paftime  much  ufed  among 
them,  and  not  unlike  tennis.  In  the  height  of  their 
game,  at  which  fome  of  the  Englifti  officers,  not  fuf- 
peQiing  any  deceit,  flood  looking  on,  they  flruck  the 
ball,  as  if  by  accident,  over  the  ftockade  ;  this  they  re-» 
peated  two  or  three  times,  to  make  the  deception  more 
complete  j  till  at  length,  having  by  this  means  lulled 
every  lulpicion  of  the  century  at  the  fouth  gate,  a  par- 
ty ruflied  by  him  J  and  .  .-*  reft  foon  following,  they 
took  poflijffion  of  the  fort,  without  m'^eting  with  any 
oppofition.  Having  accompUlhed  their  defign,  the 
Indians  had  the  humanity  to  fpare  the  livesofthe  great- 
cfl  part  of  the  garrilbn  and  traders,  but  they  made 
them  all  prifoners,  and  carried  them  off.  However, 
fome  ti:pe  after  they  took  them  to  Montreal,  where  they 

wctc 


:rc  related, 

• 

my  traj-els, 
d  is  ufually 
n.     It  con- 
ongs  to  the 
y.     Several 
ho  find  it  a 
fighboiiring 
lage  of  the 
d  the  place 
fland,  lying 
within  fight 
ha,t  animal, 
on  after  the 
which  was 
itions,  com- 
,  OtLowa  ws, 
)ther  tribes, 
ated  Indian 
ich  intereft, 
f.anner :  the 
;ar  the  fort, 
ufed  among 
ight  of  their 
ers,  not  fuf- 
)  fhu.k  the 
;his  they  re-» 
cption  more 
leans  lulled 
gate,  a  par- 
owing,  they 
ig  with  any 
defign,  the 
ofthe  great- 
tliey  made 
•  iloNvevcr, 
,  where  they 
were 


CARVER-.  TRAVEL^,  __       13 

were  redeemed  at  a  gor.a  price.     The  fort  alfo  was 
given  up  again  to  the  Englifn  at  the  peace  made  with 
Pontiac,  by  the  commander  of  Detroit  the  year  fol- 
lowing. .-    p  .        f 
Having  here  made  the  neceflary  dlfpofitions  for 

nerfuing  my  travels,  and  obtained  a  credit  from  Mr. 
Rogers,  the  Governor,  on  fome  Engliili  and  Canadian 
traders,  who  were  going  to  trade  on  the  Miffifippi,  and 
received  alfo  from  him  a  promife  of  a  frelh  fupply  of 
goods  when  I  reached  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony.  I 
left  the  fort  on  the  3d  of  September,  in  company  with 
thefe  traders.  It  was  agreed  that  they  fhould  fiirnifli 
me  with  fuch  goods  as  I  might  want,  for  prcfents  to 
the  Indian  chiefs,  during  my  continuance  with  them, 
agreeable  to  the  Governor's  order.  But  when  I  arrived 
at  the  extent  of  (heir  route,  I  was  to  fir  i  other  guides, 
atid  to  depend  on  the  goods  the  Governot  had  promifed 
to  fuply  me  with* 

We  accordingly  fet  out  together,  and  on  the  1 8th 
arrived  at  Fort  La  Bay.  This  fort  is  fituated  en  the 
fouthern  extremity  of  a  bay  in  the  Lake  Michigan,term- 
ed  by  the  French,  the  bay  of  Puants  ;  but  which,* 
fmce  the  Englifli  have  gained  poffefiion  of  all  the  fe,t- 
tlements  on  this  part  of  the  continent,  is  called  by 
them,  the  Green  Bay.  The  reafon  of  its  being  thus  de- 
nominated, is  from  its  appearance;  for  on  leaving  Mi- 
chillimackinac  in  the  fpring  Ycafon,  though  the  trers 
there  have  not  ever  put  forih  their  bud<,  y..t  yo*a  find 
the  country  around  La  Bay,notwk)i(landing  tiicpaflage 
Itas  not  exceeded  fourteen  days,  covert  d  with  the  finefc 
verdure,  and  vegetation  as  forward  as  it  couid  be  were 
it  fummer. 

This  fort  is  alfo  only  furrounded  by  a  (lokade,  and 
being  much  decayed,  is  fcarcely  defcnHble  agxinfc 
fmall  arms.  It  was  built  by  the  French  for  the  prc- 
tedlionof  their  trade^fome  tim>e  before  they  were  forc- 
ed to  relinquifh  it ;  and  when  Canada  and  its  depen- 
dencies were  furrcndercd  to  the  Eni^liih,  it  was  im«.ic- 


.,'. 


tiiatci 


'  '.i 


-.) , 


f> 


m 


It 
ft 


14, 


iS 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


im 


.-.i': 


il lately  garrlfoned  with  an  officer  and  thirty  men.  Thcfe 
were  made  prifoners  by  the  Menomonies  foon  after  the 
furprife  of  Michillimackinac,  and  the  fort  has  neither 
been  garrifoned  or   kept  in  repair  fince. 

The  bay  is  about  ninety  miles  long,  but  differs  much 
in  its  breadth  j  being  in  fome  places  only  fifteen  miles, 
in  others  from  twenty  to  thirty.  It  lies  nearly  from 
north-eaft  to  iiputh-weft.  At  the  entrance  of  it  from 
the  lake  are  a  firing  of  i (lands,  extending  from  north 
10  fouth,  called  the  Grand  Traverfe.  Thefe  are  a- 
bout  thirty  miles  in  length,  and  ferve  to  faciliate  the 
pafTage  of  canoes,  as  they  fhelter  them  from  the  windsy 
which  fometimes  come  with  violence  acrofs  the  lake. 
On  the  fide  that  lies  to  the  fouth-eail  is  the  nearefl 
and  beft  navigation. 

The  Iflands  of  the  Grand  Traverfe  arc  moftly  fmal! 
and  rocky.  Many  of  the  rocks  are  of  an  amazing  fize, 
and  appear  as  if  they  had  been  fafhioned  by  the  hands 
fefartifls.  On  the  largell  and  bwfl  of  thefe  iflands  (lands 
a  town  of  the  Ottovaws,  at  which  I  found  one  of  the 
mofl  confiderable  chiefs  of  that  nation,  who  repeived^ 
nie  with  every  honor  he  could  l^oflibly  fh^w  to  a  Gran- 
ger. But  what  appeared  extremely  fingular  to  me  at 
the  time,  and  muft  do  fo  to  every  perfon  unacquainted 
with  the  cufloms  of  the  Indians,  was  the  reception  I 
met  with  on  landing.  As  our  canoes  approached  the 
fiiore,  and  had  reached  within  about  threefcore  rods  of 
it,  the  Indians  began  a fue-de-joy j  in  which  they  fired 
their  pieces  loaded  with  balls ;  but  at  the  fame  time 
they  took  care  to  difcharge  them  in  fuch  a  manner  at 
to  fly  a  few  yards  above  our  heads  :  during  this  they 
ran  from  one  tree  or  flump  to  another,  fhouting  and 
bcheaving  as  if  they  were  in  the  heat  of  battle.  At 
Hrll  I  was  greatly  furprifedjand  was  on  the  point  of  or- 
dering my  attendants  to  return  their  fire,  concluding 
tliat  their  intentions  were  hoftile  ;  but  being  undeceiv- 
ed by  fome  of  the  traders,  who  informed  me  that  this 
was  their  ulual  method  of  receiving  the  chiefs  of  oth- 
er 


■"i 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


^7 


rs  much 
■n  miles, 
}y  from 
it  from 
north 
le  arc  a- 
iate  the 
winds, 
he  lake, 
ncareft 

}y  fmal! 
ing  fize, 
lehand* 
Is/landf 
le  of  the 
regcivcd^ 
a  ftran- 
ome  at 
uainted 
ption  I 
led  the 
rods of 
J  fired 
le  time 
mer  as 
s  they 
g  and 
^     At 
of  or- 
ludingr 

eceiv- 
at  this 
f  oth. 
cr 


■'■$ 


ist  nations,  I  confidcrcd  it  In  its  true  h'ghti  and  was 
pleafed  with  the  rcfpc£l  thus  paid  mc. 

I  remained  here  one  niglit.  Among  the  prefents  I 
made  the  chiefs,  were  fome  fpirituous  liquors  ;  with 
which  they  made  themfelves  merrj^  and  all  joined  in  a 
dance,  that  laftcd  the  greateft  part  of  the  night.  In 
the  morning  when  1  departed,  the  chief  attended  me  to 
the  fhore,  and,  as  foon  as  I  had,  embarked,  ofFeretlup, 
in  an  audible  voice,  and  with  great  folcmnity,  a  fer- 
vent prayer  in  my  behalf.  He  prayed  "  that  the  Great 
Spirit  would  favour  mc  with  a  profperous  voyage  *, 
that  he  would  give  me  :in  unclouded  Iky,  and  fmooth 
waters,  by  day  and  that  I  might  lie  down,,  by  night, 
an  a  beaver  blanket,  enjoying  uninterrupted  fleep,  and 
pleafant  dreams  ;  and  alfo  that  I  might  find  continual 
protection  under  the  great  pipe  of  peace."  In  this 
manner  he  continued  his  petitions  till  I  could  no  long- 
er hear  them. 

I  muft  here  cbfer\T,  that  notwithftandlng  the  in- 
habitants of  Europe  are  apt  to  entertain  horrid  ideas  of 
the  ferocity  of  thele  favages,  as  they  are  termed,  I  re- 
ceived from  every  tribe  of  them  in  the  interior  parts, 
tlie  moft  hofpitable  and  courteous  treatment ;  and  am 
convinced,  that  till  they  are  contaminated  by  the  ex- 
ample, and  fpiritous  liquors  of  tlieir  more  refined 
neighbours,  they  retain  this  friendly  and  inofienfive 
conduct  towards  ftrangers.  Their  inveteracy  and 
cruelty  to  their  enemies,  I  acknowledge  to  be  a  great 
abatement  of  the  favourable  opinion  I  would  wiih  to 
entertain  of  them  ;  but  this  failing  is  hereditary,^ and 
having  received  the  fandlon  of  immemorial  cuftom, 
has  taken  too  deep  root  in  their  minds  to  be  eafily 
extirpated. 

Among  this  people  I  eat  of  a  very  uucommon  kind 
«f  bread.     The  Indians,  in  general,  ufe  but  little  of 


this  nutritious  food :    wliilft  their  ^orn    is    in  the 

milk,  as    they    term    it,    that    is,    juft    before  it 

h€j^m  to  ripen,  they  flige  off  tic  kernels  from  the  cob 

^  U  2,  "  to 


!■    'V 


•  i] 

0I\ 


m 


a8 


CARVER"*  TRAVELS. 


r'  If 


II.*: 


to  which  they  grow,  aiid  knead  them  into  i(  pafltf# 
This  they  are  enabled  to  do  without  the  addition  of 
any  liquid,  by  the  milk  that  flows  from  them  ;  and 
when  it  is  cffe£led,  they  parcel  it  out  into  cakes,  and 
cnclofing  them  in  leaves  of  the  bafTwood  tree,  place 
them  in  not  embers,  where  they  are  foon  baked.  And 
better  flavored  bread  I  never  eat  in  any  country. 

This  place  is  only  a  fmall  tillage/containing  about 
twenty-five  houfes  and  fixty  or  feventy  warriors.  I 
found  nothing  there  worthy  of  further  remark. 

The  land  on  the  fouth-eaft  fide  of  the  Green  bay,  is 
but  very  indifferent,  being  jjverfprcad  with  a  heavy 
growth  of  hemlock,  pine,  fpruce,  and  fir-trees.  The 
.  communication  between  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Green 
bay,  has  been  reported  by  fome  to  be  impradlicabic, 
for  the  paflage  of  any  veflels  larger  than  canoes  or 
boats,  on  account  of  the  (hoals  that  lie  between  the 
iflands  in  the  Grand  Traverfe  ;  but  on  founding  it  I 
found  fufficient  depth  for  a  veflel  of  fixty  tons,  and 
the  breadth  proportionable. 

The  land  adjoining  to  the  bottom  of  this  bay  is  very 
fertile,  the  country  in  general  level,  and  the  perfpec- 
tive  view  of  it  pleafing  and  extenfire. 

A  few  families  live  in  the  fort,  which  lies  on  the  weft 
fide  of  the  Fox  river,  and  oppofite  to  it,  on  the  eaft 
fide  of  its  entrance,  are  fome  French  fettlers  who  cul- 
tivate the  land,  and  appear  to  live  very  comfortably. 

The  Green  bay  or  bay  of  Puants  is  one  of  thofe 
places  to  which  the  French,  as  I  have  mentioned  in 
the  introdu£^ion,  have  given  nicknames.  It  is  termed 
by  the  inliabitants  of  its  coafl:s,  the  Menomonie  Bay  ; 
but  why  the  French  have  denominated  it  the  Puant  or 
Stinking  bay,  I  know  not.  The  reafon  they  them- 
felvesgive  for  it  is,  that  it  was  not  with  a  view  to 
miflead  flrangers,  but  that  by  adopting  this  method, 
they  could  converfe  with  each  other  concerning  the 
Indians,  in  their  prefence  without  being  underftood  by 
them.    For  it  was  rcmRrkcd  by  the  perfons  who  firll 

traded 


CARVER'S  TRA\"t:LS. 

haded  among  them,  that  ^hcn  they  were  fpcaking  to 
6ach  other  about  them,  and  mentioned  their  proper 
names  they  inftantly  grew  fufpicioui,  and  concluded 
that  their  vifitors  were  either  fpeaking  ill  o£  them,  or 
plotting  their  defttuaiori.  To  remedy  .this  they  gav^ 
them  fome  other  name.'  The  only  bad  confequenciel 
arifing  from  the  pra£lice  thcnini:^claccdis,  that  En- 
ghfh  and  French  geographers,  in  their  plans  of  the  in- 
terior parts  of  America,  give  different  names  to  the 
fame  people,  and  thereby  perplex  thofe  who  have  oc- 
cafion  to  refer  to  them. 

Lake  Michigan,  of  which  the  Green  Bay  is  a  part,  i^ 
divided  on  the  north-eaft  from  Lake  Huron  by  the 
Straits  of  Michillimackinac  j  and  is  fituatcd  between 
forty  two  and  forty  fix  degrees  of  latitude,  and  between 
eighty  four  and  eighty-fevendegreei  of  weft  longitude. 
Its  greateft  length  is  t^o  hundred  and  eighty  miles,  its 
breadth  about  forty,  and  its  circumferance  nearly  fix 
hundred.  There  is  a  remarkable  ftring  of  fmall  iflands 
bcgining  over  againft  Aflcin*s  farm,  and  runnig  about 
thirty  miles  fouth-weft  into  the  lake:  Thefe  are  call- 
ed the  Beaver  Iflands.  Their  fituation  is  very  p\ei* 
flint,  biit  the  foil  is  bare.  However  ther  afford  a  beau* 
tiful  profped!^. 

On  the  north-weft  parts  of  this  Jake  the  w^ftcri 
branch  out  into  two  bays.  That  which  lies  towards 
the  north  is  the  Bay  of  Noquets,  and  4;hc  other  thtf 
Green  Bay  juft  defcribed. 

The  waters  of  this  as  well  as  the  other  great  lakes 
arc  clear  and  wholefome  and  of  fufhcient  depth  for 
the  navigation  of  large  fhips.  H«lf  the  fpaee  of  th* 
country  that  lies  to  the  eafl,  and  extends  to  Lake  Hu- 
ron, belongs  to  the  Ottowaw  Indians.  The  line  that 
divides  their  territories  from  the  Chipeways,  runsnear- 
ly  north  and  fouth,  and  reaches  almoft  from  the  fouth- 
crn  extremity  of  this  lake,  acrofs,  the  high  lands,  to 
Michillimackinac,  through  the  center  of  which  it  paf- 
fes.  ^0  that  when  thefe  two  tribes  happen  to  meet  at 
--'^—  the 


j  ■ 

j  I ;  ',   . 


1 1    i ' 


5''»' 


20 


CARVJUR's  TRAVELS. 


i:     ■*' 


uh 


the  fa Aory,  they  each  cnCamp  on  their  own  domin- 
ions, at  a  few  yards  diftance  from  the  ilockade. 

The  country  adjacent  either  to  the  call  or  weft  fide 
of  the  lake,  is  compofed  b^t  of  an  indifferent  foil,  ex- 
cept where  ftnall  brooks  or  rivers  empty  themfelvcg 
into  it ;  on  the  banks  of  thcfc  it  is  extremely  fertile, 
Near  the  borders  of  the  lake  grow  a  great  number  of 
fand  cherries,  which  are  not  lefs  remarkable  for  their 
manner  of  growth,  than  for  their  cxquifite  flavor. 
They  grow  upon  a  fmall  (hrub,  not  more  than  four 
feet  high,  the  boughs  of  which  are  fo  loaded  that  they 
lie  in  clufters  on  the  fand.  As  they  grow  only  on  the 
fand  the  warmth  of  which  probably  contributes  to 
bring  them  to  fuch  perfedtion  ;  they  are  called  by  the 
French,  cherries  de  fable,  or  fand  cherries.  The  fize 
of  them  does  not  exceed  that  of  a  fmall  mufket  ball, 
but  they  are  reckoned  fuperior  to  any  other  fort  for 
the  purpofe  pf  fteeping  in  fpirits.  There  alfo  grow  a- 
round  the  lake,  goofeberries,  black  currents,  and  an 
abundijince  of  juijiper,  bearing  great  quantities  of  ber- 
iries  of  the  fineft  fort. 

Sumack  likewife  grows  here  in  great  plenty  j  the 
leaf  of  which,  gathered  at  Michaelmas,  when  it  turns 
red,  is  much  efteemed  by  the  natives.  They  mix  2r 
bout  an  equal  quantity  of  it  with  their  tobacco,  which 
caufes  it  to  fmoke  pleafantly.  Near  this  lake,  and  in- 
deed about  all  the  great  lakes,  is  found  a  kind  of  wil- 
low, termed  by  tlie  French,  bois  rouge,  in  Englifh,  red 
wood.  Its  bark  when  only  of  one  year's  growth, is  of 
a  fine  fcarlet  color,  and  appears  very  beautiful  j  but  as 
it  grows  older,  it  changes  into  a  mixture  of  grey  and 
red.  The  ftalks  of  this  Ihrub  grow  many  of  them  to- 
gether, and  rife  to  the  height  of  fix  or  eight  feet,  the 
largeft  not  exceeding  an  inch  diameter.  The  bark 
being  fcraped  from  the  flicks,  and  dried  and  powder- 
ed, is  alfo  mixed  by  the  Indians  with  their  tobacco, 
and  is  held  by  them  in  the  higheft  efiimation,  for  their 
winter  fmoking.    A  weed  that  grows  near  the  great 

Jakes, 


■^t  is  caih 
■iike  a  vii 
jlght  or 
filver  p 
color  of 
an  evcrg 
likewife 
Ifmoke  it 
;  fucceda 
jlicd  thi 
ire  grea 
ijatherin 
Ontl 
tnd  pro 
traders  : 
:||the  grea 
lilland,  j 
[nebago. 
inftead  1 
[and  ent( 
I  during 
The 
chiefs, 
their  ct 
bufmef 
the  req 
:  plimen 
-  but  on 
dire«Sti( 
are  ne^ 
Iiapper 
;  then  it 
{■peech 
woma 
by  hei 
her.  1 
ever  ] 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


tt 


kadc. 
>r  weft  fide 
fit  foil,  ex* 
themfclyca 
ly   fertile. 
umber  of 
:for  their 
itc  flavor, 
than  four 
I  that  they 
•nly  on  the 
ributcs  to 
lledby  the 
The  fize 
liket  ball, 
T  fort  for 
ro  grow'a- 
h  and   an 
es  of  bcr- 

nt^;  the 
n  It  turns    ' 
y  mix  a^ 
:o,  which 
%  and  in- 
id  of  wil- 
?Hfti,  red 
«'th,isqf 
J  >  but  a.s 
;rey  and 
'hem  to- 
Feet,  the 
'he  bark 
powder- 
obacco, 
for  their 
ie  great 
akes; 


akcs,  ill  reeky  places,  they  ufe  in  the  fummer  fcafbn, 

t  is  called  by  the  Indians,   Segockimac,  and  creeps 

ike  a  vine  on  the  ground,  fometimes  extending  t© 

ight  or  ten  feet,  and  bearing  a  leaf  about  the  fizc  of 

filver  penny,  nearly  round  j  it  is  of  the  fubftance  and 

olor  of  the  laurel,  and  is,  like  the  tree  it  refembles, 

m  evergreen.  Thefe  leaves,  dried  and  powdered,  thef 

ikewife  mix  with  their  tobacco ;  and  as  faid  before, 

fmoke  it  only  during  the  fummer.     By  thefe  three 

fuccedaneums,  the  pipes  of  the  Indians  are  well  fup*- 

ilicd  through  every  feafon  of  the  year;  and  as  they 

re  great  fmokers,  they  arc  very  careful  in  properly 

athering  and '  preparing  them. 

On  the  20th  of  September,  I  left  the  Gre-cn  Bay, 

find  proceeded  up  Fox  river,  ftill  in  company  with  the 

vijraders  and  fome  Indians.     On  the  25th  I  arrived  at 

5?|the  great  town  of  the  Winnebagoeg,  fituated  on  a  fmalt 

rifland,  juft  as  you  enter  the  eaftend  of  the  lake  Win- 

"  nebago.     Here  the  queen  who  prefided  over  this  tribt 

inftead  of  a  Sachem,  received  me  with  great  civility, 

and  entertained  me  in  a  very  diftinguifhed  manner^. 

during  the  four  days  I  continued  with  her. 

The  day  after  my  arrival  I  held  a  council  with  the 
chiefs,  of  whom  I  aflced  permiffion  to  pafs  through 
their  country,  in  my  way  to  more  remote  nations,  on 
bufinefs  of  importance.     This  was  readily  granted  mt 
the  requeft  being  efteemed  by  them  as  a  great  com- 
pliment paid  tothqir tribe.  The  queen  fat  inthe  council^ 
but  only  aiked  a  few  queftions,  or  gave  fome  trifling 
direcTtions  in  matters  relative  to  the  ftate  j  for  womenr 
,;;  are  never  allowed  to  fit  in  their  councils,  except  they 
ll  happen  to  be  inverted  with  the  fiipreme  authority,  and 
0  then  it  is  not  cuftomary  for  them  to  make  any  formal 
'1  fpeeches  as  the  chiefs  do.     She  was  a  very   antienc 
J  woman,  fmall  in  ftature,  and  not  much  diftinguiflied 
by  her  drefs  from  feveral  young  women  that  attended 
her.  Thefe  her  attendants  feemed  greatly  pleafed  when 
ever  I  fliowed  any  tokens  of  rcfpc£t  to  their  queen^ 

particularly 


Isiiftlli 


l*r\. 


mm 


a 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


,-^i^^ 


mi. 


particularly  when  I  falutcd  her,  which  I  frequently 
did  to  acquire  hex  favor.  On  thefe  occafiorts  the 
good  old  hdy  endeavoured  to  aiTume  a  juvenile  gaiety, 
ind  by  her  Imiles  ftiowed  (he  was  equally  pleaf'ed  wirk 
the  attention  I  paid  her. 

The  time  I  tarried  here,  I  employed  in  making  the 
bcft  obferv^tions  pofllbld  on  the  country,  and  in  col- 
letting  the  moft  certain  intelligence  I  could,  of  the  o- 
rigin,  language  and  cuftoms  of  this  people.  From 
thefc  enquiries  I  have  reafon  to  conclude,  that  the 
Wiiinebagoes  originally  refided  in  fbme  of  the  pro- 
yinces  belonging  to  New  Mexico  ;  and  being  driven 
from  their  native  country,  either  by  inteftine  divifions, 
or  by  the  extentions  of  the  Spanifliconquefts, they  took 
refuge  in  thefe  more  northern  parts  about  a  century 

<»go. 

My  reafons  for  adopting  this  fuppofition,  are,  firft, 
from  their  unalienable  attachment  to  the  Naudowef- 
fie  Indians  (who,  they  fay,  gave  them  the  earlieft  fuc- 
cor  during  their  emigration)  notwithftanding  their 
prefent  refidence  is  more  than  (ix  hundred  miles  dii^ 
tant  from  that  people. 

Secondly,  that  their  dialed  totally  differs  from  eve- 
ry other  Indian  nation  yet  diicovercd  j  it  being  a  ve- 
ry uncouth,  guttural  jargon,  which  none  of  their 
neighbors  will  attempt  to  learn.  They  converfe  with 
other  nations  in  the  Chipeway  tongue,  which  Is  th^ 
prevailing  language  throughout  all  the  tribes,  from  the 
Mohawks  of  Cannada,  to  thofe  who  inhabit  the  bor- 
der 3  of  the  MiiTifippi,  and  from  the  Hurons  and  Illi- 
nois to  fuch  as  dwell  near  Hudfon's  Bay. 

Thirdly,  from  their  inveterate  hatred  to  the  Span- 
iards!. Some  of  them  informed  me  that  they  bad  ma- 
ny excurfions  to  the  fouth-weft,  which  took  u.)  feveral 
xnoons.  An  elder  chief  more  particularly  .icquainted 
me, that  about  forty-fix  winters  ago, he  marched  at  the 
head  of  fifty  warriors,  towards  the  fouth-weft,  for 
thxe<  moons.     That  during  this  expedition,  whilft 

they 


-A.'l 


frequently 
cafiorts  the 
tiilc  gaiety, 
eafcd  wirli 

naking  the 

and  in  col- 

,  of  the  0* 

e.     From 

that  the 

the  pro- 

ig  driven 

divifions, 

i,  they  took 

;  a  century 

,  are,  firft, 
sTaudowef- 
arlieft  fuc- 
ding  their 
miles  diP- 

from  cre- 
eing  a  rc- 
f  of  their 
verfe  with 
ich  is  th^ 
,  from  the 
t  the  bor- 
s  andlili- 

he  Span- 
''  Iiad  ma- 
J;)feveral 
:quainted 
led  at  the 
weft,  for 
n,  whilft 
they 


CARVER'i  TRAVELS. 


n 


cy  were  crofllng  a  plain,  they  difcovered  a  body  of 

en  on  horfe-back,  who  belonged  to  the  Black  Peo- 

Ic  ;  for  fo  they  call  the  Spaniards.     As  foon  as  they 

erccivcd  them,  they  proceeded  with  caution,  and 

oiicealcd  thcmfelves  till  night  cam*  on  ;  when  they 

'drew  fo  near  as  to  be  able  to  difcern  the  number  and 

fituation  of  their  enemies.     Finding  they  were  not  a- 

Ic  to  cope  with  fo  great  a  fuperiority  by  day-l'ght, 

hey  waited  till  they  had  retired  to  reft  ;  when  th'jy 

ufhed  upon  them,  and,  after  having  killed  the  great- 

i\   part  of  the  men,  took  eighty  horfcs  loaded  with 

,vhat  they  ter;ncd  white   ilone.     This  I  fuppofe  to 

•  Ipiavc  been  f:lver,  as  he  told  me  the  horfes  were  fliod 

\vlth  it,  and  that  their  bridles  were  ornamented  with 

?^he  fame.     When  they   had  fatiated   their  revenge, 

iitliey  carried  oft' their  fpoil,  and  being  got  fo  far  as  to 

^  i  beoLif  off  the  reach  of  the  Spaniards  that  had  efcapcd 

\^  their  fury,  they  left  the  ufelefs  and  ponderous  burthen, 

with  which  the  horfes  were  loaded,  in   the  woods, 

and  mounting  themfclves,  in  this  manner  returned  to 

tlieir  friends.     The  party  they  had  thus  defeated,  I 

conclude  to  be  the  caravan  that   annually  conveys  to 

Mexico,  the  filvtr  which  the  Spaniards  find  in  great 

quantities  on  the  mountains  lying  near  the  heads  of 

^  the  Colercdo  River:  and  the  plains  where  the  attack 

^  was  made,  probably  fbme  they  were  obliged  to  pafg 

i  over  in  their  way  to  the  heads  of  the  river  St.  Fee,  or 

.;  Rio  del  Nord,  which  falls  into  the  Gulf  of  Meiico, 

to  the  y,'til  of  the  Miffifippi. 

The  Winiiebagoes  can  ralfe  about  two  hundred 
warriors.  Their  town  contains  about  fifty  houfes, 
which  are  ftrongly  built  with  pallifades,  and  the  ifl- 
r  and  on  which  it  is  fituated,  nearly  fifty  acres.  It  lies 
tliirty  five  miles,  reckoning  according  to  tlie  courfc 
pf  the  river,  from  the  Green  Bay. 

The  river,  for  about  four  or  five  miles  from  the  bay,* 
has  a  gentle  current ;  after  that  fpace,  till  you  arrive 
at  the  Winnebago  Lake,  it  is  full  of  rocks  and  very 

rapid. 


•A 


CARVER'i  TRAVELS. 


I    ^. 


Tapid.  At  many  places  wc  were  obliged  to  land  ouy 
canoes,and  carry  them  a  confiderable  way.  Its  breadth, 
in  general,  from  the  Green  Bay  to  the  Winnebago 
Lake,  is  between  fcvcnty  and  a  hundred  yard* :  ths 
land  on  its  borders  very  good,  and  thinly  wooded 
with  liickory,  oak  and  hazel. 

The  Winnebago  Lake  is  about  fifteen  miles  long 
from  eaft  to  weft,  and  fix  miles  wide.  At  its  fouth- 
caft  corner,  a  river  M\s  into  it  th.\t  takes  its  rife 
near  fomc  of  the  northern  branches  of  the  Illinois 
River.  This  I  called  the  Crocodile  River,  in  confe- 
quencc  of  a  (lory  that  prevails  among  the  Indians,  of 
their  having  dcftroyed  in  fome  part  of  it,  an  animal, 
which  from  their  dcfcription  muft  be  a  crocodile  or 
an  alligator. 

The  land  adjacent  to  the  Lake  is  very  fertile,  a* 
bounding  with  grapes,  p'ums,  and  other  fruits,  which 
grow  fpontaneoufly.  Ti,  Winnebagoes  raife  on  it 
a  great  quantity  of  Indian  corn,  beans,  pumpkins, 
fquaihcs  and  watermelons,  with  fome  tobacco.  The 
Lake  itfelf  abounds  with  fifh,  and  in  the  fall  of  the 
year,  with  geefe,  ducks  and  teal.  The  latter,  which 
refort  to  it  in  great  numbers,  arc  remarkably  good 
and  extremely  fat,  and  are  much  better  flavored  than 
thofe  that  are  found  near  the  fea,  as  they  acquire 
iheir  exceflive  fatnefs  by  feeding  on  the  \vlld  rice, 
which  grows  fo  plentifully  in  thefe  parts. 

Having  made  Ibme  acceptable  prefents  to  the  good 
old  queen,  and  received  her  blcfling,  I  left  the  town  of 
the  Winnebagoes  on  the  29th  of  September,  andabout 
twelve  miles  from  it,  arrived  at  the  place  where  the 
Fox  River  enters  the  Lake,  on  the  north  fide  of  it^ 
We  proceeded  up  this  river,  and  on  the  7th  of  0(5i:o- 
ber  reached  the  great  Carrying  Place,  which  divides 
it  from  the  Ouifconfin. 

The  Fox  River,  from  the  Green  Bay  to  the  Carry- 
ing Place,  is  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  milesr 
From  the  Winnebago  Lake  to  the  Carrying  Place 

the 


CARVER'4  TRAVELS. 


25 


the  current  is  gentle,  and  the  depth  of  it  con- 
ficlerable  5  notwithftanding  which,  it  is  in  fome 
places  with  difficuhy  that^noes  #an  pafs  through 
the  obftru£^ioii8  they  ibjget  with  from  the  rice  flalks, 
%vhich  arc  vQ|i||^  large  and  iMck,  and  grow  ficre  in 
great  abundance.  The  country  around  itis  vcrjjplcr- 
tile,  and  proper  in  the  highell  degree  for  cul|i,vatIon, 
excepting  in  fome  places  near^he  river,  where  it  is. 
rather  too  low.  It  is  in  no  p^  very  woody,  and  ytt 
can  fupplf  fufHUent  !b  nnffiter  the  demands  of  any 
nj|nlbwi$)if  inhabitants.  '  This  river  is  tlie  grcatcft  rc- 
fort*^^Wjld  fowl  of  every  ftirid,  that  I  met  with  in 
the  w&^  courfc  of  my  travels ;  f»cquently  the  fun 
would  be  obfcured  by  them  for  fome  minutes  together. 

About  forty  mUes  up  this  river,  frorfi  ths  great  town 
of  the  Winnebagoes,  itands  a  fmaller  town  belonging 
to  that  nation. 

Deer  and  bears  are  very  ncnierous  iff  thefe  pattS, 
and  a.  great  manjf  beavfcrs  and  other  furs  arc  taken  on* 
the  ftrcanis  that  empty  themfelves  into  this'  rivcr^ 

The  river  I  am  treating  of^  is  remarkable  for  hir- 
ing been,  hbotit  Eighty  yeats  ago,  the  refidcnce  ol 
the  uniterf^ands  of  the  Ottigflumies  and  the  Saukies, 
whom  the  French  had  nicknamed,  acfferding  to  their 
wonted  cuftom,DeS' Sacs  and  Des  Reynards,  the  Sacks 
and  the  Foxes,  of  whom  the  following  anecdote  waK 
related  to  me  by  an  Indian.  ~ 

About  fixty  years  ago,  the  French  miflibnnncs  and 
traders  having  received  many  infiilts  from  th.cfe  peo- 
ple, a  party  of  French  and  Indians,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Mora  nd  marched 'to  revenge  their 
vrongs.  The  Cnptain  fet  out  from  the  Green  B.iv  in 
tlie  winter,  when  they  were  unfufplcious  of  a  vifit  cH 
this  kind,  and  purfuing  his  route  over  thefnowto  their 
villages,  which  lay  about  fifty  miles  up  the  Fox 
River,  came  upon  them  by  furprife.  Unprepar- 
ed as  they  were,  he  found  therri  an  eafy  conqueft, 
and    c(»^equcntly    killed   or     took     priioners   the 

C  gveatell 


f  -It.  • '     '1 


•  '! 


'I      .     \       » 


26 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


4' : 


■i 

V  V 

1 

3.'^'i.r 
(  f..  A 

grcateft  part  of  them.  On  the  return  of  the  French 
to  the  Green  Bay,  one  of  the  Indian  chiefs  in  alliance 
with  thim,  who  had  a  coifiderable  band  of  the  pri- 
foners  under  his  care,  flopped  t<j  drink  at  a  brook  j 
ill  the  mean  time  his  companions  wejijt  on  :  which 
bcin^  obferved  by  one  of  the  women  whom  they  had 
made  captive,  (lie  fuddenly,  feized  him  with  both  her 
hands,  whilfl:  h^  (looped  to  drink,  by  an  exquifitely 
fufccptible  part,  and  held  him  fad  till  he  expired  on 
the  fpot.  As  the  chief, frc^  thetxtremetorturf-^e  f Of- 
fered, was  unable  to  cr.Uoutto  his  friends,  or  to  gi^  a- 
ny  alarm,  they  paiTed  on  witlK)ut  knowing  whii^'&act 
happened  ;  and  the  woman  having  cut  the  bands  of 
thofe  of  her  fellow  prifonerij  who  were  in  the  rear, 
with  them  made  her  efcape.  This  heroine  was  ever 
after  treated  by  her  nation  as  their  deliverer,  and  made 
a  chiefefs  in  her  own  right,  with  liberty  to  entail  the 
fame  honor  on  her  decendants  :  an  unufual  diflin^ion, 
and  permitted  only  on  extraordinary  occafions. 

About  twelve  miles  before  I  reached  the  Carrying 
Place,  1  obferved  fevecal  fmall  mountains  which  ex- 
tended quite  to  it.  Thefe  indeed  would  only  be  efleem- 
cd  as  molehills,  when  compared  with  thofe  on  the 
back  of  the  colonies,  but  as  they  were  the  firlt  I  had 
{•:qi\  fince  my  leaving  Niagara,  a  track  of  nearly  eleven 
hundred  miles,  I  could  not  leave  them  unnoticed. 

The  Fox  River,  where  it  enters  the  Vv^innebago 
Lake,  is  about  fifty  yards  wide,  but  it  gradually  ue- 
creafes  to  the  Carrying  Place,  where.it  is  no  more  than 
five  yards  over,  except  in  a  few  places  where  it  widens 
iftto  fmall  lakes,  though  Hill  of  r.  confiderable  depth. 
I  cannot  recolle^l  any  thing  elfe  that  is  remarkable  in 
this  river,  except  that  it  is  fo  ferpentine  for  five  miles, 
a^  only  to  gain  in  that  place  one  quarter  of  a  mile. 

The  Carrying  Place  Uetw.ecn  the  Fox  and  Ouifcon- 
fin  Rivers  is  inbreadth  not  more  than  a  inile  and  three 
quarters,  though  in  (omo,  maps  it  is  fo  delineated  as  to 
appear  to  be  tCn  milts.  An4  here  I  cannot  help  re- 
marking, ■  - 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


27 


naiking,  that  all  the  maps  of  thefe  parts,  I  have  ev- 
er feen,  are  very  erroneous.  The  rivers'  iii^  general 
are  de^c^'bcd  as  runnhig  irt  different  direiftions  from 
what  iliey  really  do  :"and  many  branches  of  them, 
particularly  th«  Miffiiippi,  omitted.  The  diftances  of 
p]a':'es>  likewife,  are  greatly  mifreprefented.  Wheth- 
er this  is  done  by  the  French  j^eographcrs  (for  tlie 
Englilh  maps  are  all  copied  from  theirs)  through  d^- 
fign,  or  for  want  of  a  juft  knowledge  of  tlie  country, 
I  ca?it»ot  fay  y  but  r%m  fatisfied  that  travellers  who 
dej^nd  upon  them  in  the  parts,  I  vifitedj  will  find 
theilffdves  much  at  a  lofs.  * 

Near  one  half  of  the  way,  between  the  rivers,  is  a 
morafs  overgro\m  with  a  kind  of  long  grafs,  the  reft 
of  it  a  plain  with  fome  few  0^  and  pine  trees  growing 
thereon.  I  obferved  here  a  great  number  of  rattle- 
fnakes.  Monf.  Pinnifance,  a' French  trader,  told  mc 
a  remarkable  ftory  concerning  one  of  thefe  reptiles,  of 
which  he  faid,  he  was  an  eye-witncfs.  An  Indian  be- 
longing to  the  Menomonie  nation,  having  taken  one 
of  them,  found  means  to  tame  it  j  and  when  he  had 
done  thiSfc,  treated  it  as  a  Deity  •,  calling  it  his  Great 
Father,  and  carrying  it  with  him  in  a  box,  wherev- 
er he  went.  This  the  Indian  had"  done  for  fevcral 
fummers,  when  Monf.  Pinnifance  accidentally  met 
with  him  at  this  Carrying  Pface,  juft  as  he  was  fcttinj;^ 
off  for  a  winter's  hunt.  The  French  {gentleman  was 
furprifed,  one  day,  to  fee  the  Indian  place  the  box 
which  contained  his  god,  on  the  ground,  and  opening;; 
the  door,  gave  him  his  liberty  ;  telling  him  whilit  he 
did  it,  to  be  fure  and  return  by  the  lime  he  l/imfelf 
ftiould  come  back,  which  was  to  be  in  the  'month  of 
May  following.  As  this  was  but  061obcr  Monfieur 
told  the  Indian,  whole  fimplicity  aftoniflied  him,  that 
he  fancied  he  might  wait  long  enough  when  May  ar- 
rived for  the  arrival  of  his  great  father.  The  Indian 
was  fo  confident  of  his  creature's  obedience,  that  he 
offered  to  lay  the  Frenchman  a  wager  of  two  gallons 

of 


\kmu^r>. 


t8 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


m 


t 


m 


i-l 


i 


I'.  ■.:■ 


of  rum,  that  at  the  time  appointed  he  would  come 
and  crawl  into  the  box.  This  was  agreec'i  on,  and 
the  fecifnd  week  in  May  foilowuV^ fixed  for  the  deter- 
mination of  the  wagert  At  tliaicpcriod  they  both 
met  there  again  ;  when  the  Inciian  fet  down  his  box, 
and  called  for  his  great  father.  The  fnake  heard 
him  not ;  and  the  time  being  now  expired,  he  ac- 
knowledged that  he  had  loft.  However,  without 
feeming  to  be  difcouraged,  he  offered  to  dpublc  the 
tet,  if  his  great  father  caire^ot  within  Al  days 
more.  This  was  further  agreed  on  ;  when  bChold  on 
,the  fecond  day  about  one  o'clock,  the  fnake  aiS^vcd, 
and  of  his  own  accord  crawled  in  the  box,  which  was 
placed  ready  for  him.  The  French  gentleman  vouch- 
ed for  the  truth  of  this  flory,  and  from  the  accounts 
Ihave  often  received  of  the  docility  of  thofe  creatures, 
I  fee  no  reafon  to  doubt  his  veracity. 

I  obferved  that  the  main  body  of  the  Fox  river 
came  from  the  fouth-weft,  that  of  the  Ouifconfm 
from  the  north-eaft  ;  and  alfo  that  fome  of  the  fmall 
branchesofthife  two  rivers,  in  defcending into  them, 
doubled  within  a  few  feet  of  each  other,  aiittle  to  the 
fouth  of  the  Carrying  Place.  That  two  ?uch  rivers 
iliould  take  their  rife  fo  near  each  other,  and  after 
running  fuch  difFerent  courfes,  empty  themfelves  into 
the  fea,  at  a  diftance  fo  amazing  (for  the  former  hav- 
ing pafTed  tlirough  feveral  great  lakea,  and  run  up- 
wards of  two  thoufand  miles,  falls  into  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence,  and  the  other,  after  joining  the  Mifli- 
fi  ppi,  and  having  run  an  equal  number  of  miles,  dif- 
cmbogues  itfelf  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico)  is  an  in- 
ftance  fCarcely  to  be  met  in  the  extenfive  continent  of 
North  America.  I  had  an  opportunity  the  year  fol- 
lowing, of  making  the  fame  obfervations  on  the  affin- 
ity of  various  head  branches  of  the  waters  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  and  the  Miflifippi  to  each  other  ;  and  now 
bring  them  as  a  proof,  that  the  opinion  of  thofe  geo- 
graphers, who  aflert,  that  rivers  taking  their  rife  fo 

near 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


29 


near  each  other,  miifl  fpring  from  the  fame  fource,  is 
erroneous.  Fori  perceived  a  vifibly  diilindt  fepara- 
tion  in  all  of  therfif  i^btwithftanding,  in  feme  places, 
they  approached 'ib  near,  that  I  could  have  ftepped 
from  one  to  the  other." 

On  the  8th  of  0<51:ober  we  got  our  canoes  into  th<^" 
Ouifconfin  Rivr,  which  at  this  place  is  rnore^hali  a 
hundred  yards  wide  ;  and  the  next  day  arrived  tft  the 
Great  Town  of  the  Saukies.  This  is  the  largcfl  and 
beftbtStt  Indian  town  I  ever  faw.  It  contnhis  about 
ninety  houfes  each  large  enough  for  feveral  families. 
Thelfe.are  built  of  hewn  pl'^nk,  neatly  jointed  and  co- 
vered with  bark  fo  compadlly  as  to  keep  out  the  mofl 
penetrating  rains.  Befere  the  doors  are  placed  com- 
fortable fheds,  in  which  the  inhabitants  fit,  when  the 
weather  will  permit,  and  fmoke  their  pipes.  The 
ftreets  are  regular  and  fpacious  ;  fo  that  it  appears 
more  like  a  civilized  town,  than  the  abode  (|f  lavages. 
The  land  near  the  town  is  very  good.  In  their  plan-, 
tations,  which  lie  adjacent  to  their  houfes,  and  which 
are  neatly  laid  out,thcy  raife  great  quantities  of  Indian 
corn,  beans,  melons,  &c.  fo  tlmt  this  place  is  efteemcd 
the  bcft  market  for  traders  to  furnilh  themfelrcs  with 
provifions,  of  any  within  eight  hundred  miles  of  it. 

The  Saukiescan  raife  aboutthree  hundred  warriors, 
who  are  generally  employed  every  fummcr  in  making 
incurfions  into  the  territories  cf  the  Illinois  and  Paw- 
nee'nations,  from  whence  they  return,  with  a  great 
number  of  flaves.  But  thofe  people  frequently  reta- 
liate, and,  »n  their  turn,  deftrcy  many  of  the  Saukics, 
which  I  judge  to  be  the  reafon  that  they  inc^eafe  no 
fafter. 

Whilft  I  rtaid  here  I  took  a  view  of  fome  Triountains 
that  lie  about  fifteen  miles  to  the  fouthward,  and  a-  . 
bound  in  lead  ore.  I  afcended  on  one  of  the  higheft  of 
thefe,  and  had  an  extenfive  view  of  the  country.  For 
many  miJes  nothing  Mas  to  be  fcen  but  kfllr  moun • 
taiR£,  which  appeared  at  diftance  like  haycocks,   they 

Cc  .  being 


,11  ^Flf 'J 


^  j^. 


I 


*t 


m 


ifi 


W 


30 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


being  free  from  trees.  Only  a  few  groves  of  hickory, 
and  ftunted  oaks,  covered  forne  of  the  vallies.  So 
plentiful  is  lead  here,  fliat  I  faw  iarge  quantities  of  it 
lying  about  the  ftreets  in  the  town  belonging  to  the 
8aukies,  and  it  feemed  to  be  as  good  as  the  produce 
of  other  countries. 

On  the  1  oth  of  Odlober  we  proceeded  down  the  ri- 
ver, and  the  next  day  reached  the  firft  town  of  the 
Ottigaumies.  This  town  contained  about  fifty  houfes, 
but  we  found  moft  -of  them  deferted,  on  ii^ount 
of  an  epidemical  diforder  that  had  lately  raged  among 
them,  and  carried  off  more  than  one  half  of  the  in- 
habitants. The  grea'ier  part  of  thofe  who  furvived, 
had  retired  into  the  woods  to  avoid  the  contagion. 

On  the  15th  we  entered  tliat  e:£tenfiTe  river  the 
Miflifippi.  The  Ouifcon fin,  from  the  Carrying  Place 
to  the  pare  where  it  falls  into  the  Miffifippi,  flow* 
with  a  jBoQooth,  but  fl:rong  current  ;  the  water  of  it  is 
cxceedi^ly  clear,  and  through  it  you  may  perceive  a 
fine  and  fandy  bottom,  tolerably  free  from  rocks.  In 
it  are  a  few  illands,  the  foil  of  which  appeared  to  be 
'good,  though  fomewhat  woody.  The  land  near  the 
river  aJfo  feemed  to  be,  in  general,  excellent  ;  but 
that  at  a  diftance  is  very  full  of  mountains,  where  it 
is  faid  there  are  many  lead  mines. 

About  five  miles  from  the  junftion  of  the  rivers,  I 
obfervcd  th&  ruins  of  a  large  town,  in  a  very  pleafing 
fituation.  On  enquiring  of  the  neighbouring  Indians, 
why  it  was  thus  deferted,  I  was  informed,  that  about 
thirty  years  ago,  the  Great  Spirit  had  appeared  on 
the  top  of  a  pyramid  of  rocks,  which  lay  at  a  little  dif- 
tance from  it,  towards  the  weft,  and  warned  them  to 
quit  their  habitations ;  for  the  land  on  which  they 
were  built  belonged  to  him,  and  he  had  occafion  for 
it.  As  a  proof  that  he,  who  gave  them  thefe  orders, 
was  really  the  Great  Spirit,  he  further  told  them, that 
the  grafs  flioukl  immediately  fpring  up  on  thofe  very 
rocks  from  whence  he  uowaddreflcd  them;  which  they 

knew 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


3* 


kne';v^  to  be  bare  and  barren.  The  Indians  obeyed,  and 
foon  after  difcovered  that  this  miraculous  aheration 
had  taken  place.  They  ihewed  me  the  fpot,  but  the 
growth  of  the  grafs  appeared  to  be  noways  fupernatu- 
ral.  I  apprehend  this  to  have  been  a  ftratagem  of  the 
French  or  Spaniards,  to  anfwer  fome  felfilh  view;  but 
in  what  manner  they  efifefted  their  purpofes  I  know 
not.  V  * ;, 

Thisjpeople,  foon  after  their  removal,  built  a  town 
on  thdronk  of  the  Mifllfippi,  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Ouifconfin,  at  a  place  called  by  the  French,  La  Prai- 
ries les  Chiens,  which  fignifies  the  Dog  Plains  j  it  is 
a  large  town,  and  contains  about  three  hundred  fami- 
lies; the  houfes  r:  well  built  after  the  Indian  manner, 
and  pleafantly  fituated  on  a  very  rich  foil,  from  which 
they  raife  every  necefTary  of  life  in  great  abundance. 
I  faw  here  many  horfes  of  a  good  fize  and  fiiape.  This 
town  is  the  great  mart  where  all  the  adjacent  tribes, 
and  even  thofe  who  inhabit  the  moft  remotc^branches 
of  the  Mifliiippi,  annually  aflemble  about  the  latter 
end  of  May,  bringing  with  them  their  fiu-s  to  difpofc 
of  to  the  traders.  But  it  is  not  always  that  they  con- 
clude their  fale  here  ;  this  is  determined  by  a  gene- 
ral council  of  the  chiefs,  who  confult  whether  it  would 
be  more  conducive  to  ti>eir  intereil,  to  fell  their  goods 
at  this  place,  or  carry  them  on  to  Louifiana,  or  Michil- 
limackinac.  According  to  the  decifion  of  this  coun- 
cilj  they  either  proceed  further,  or  return  to  their  dif- 
ferent nomes.  > 

The  Mifllfippi,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Ouifconfir\, 
near  which  ilinds  a  mountain  of  confiderable  height, 
is  about  half  a  mile  over;  but  oppofite  to  the  laft  men- 
tioned town,  it  appears  to  be  more  than  a  mile  wide, 
and  full  of  Iflands,  the  foil  of  which  is  extraordinary 
rich,  and  but  thinly  wooded. 

A  little  further  to  the  weft,  on  the  contrary  fide,  a 
fmall  river  falls  into  the  Miflifippi,  which  the  French 
w*U  Le  Jaun  JRivierC;  or  the  Y eiiow  River.  Here  th« 
■'" traders 


vi,,l 


1 


C    ' 


m  .. 


%':  i  •' 


$2 


CARVER'5  TRAVELS. 


II 


^     .^ 


traders  who  had  accompaiiled  me  hitherto,  took  up 
their  refidence  for  the  winter.  I  then  bought  a  ca- 
noe, and  with  two  feryant3r:t}ne  a  French  Canadian, 
and  the  other  a  Mohawk  of  Carnada>jon  the  19th  pro- 
ceeded up  the  Miffifippi.  u  ^< 

About  ten  days  after  I  had  parted  from  the  traders 
I  landed  as  I  ufually  did,  every  evening,  and  having 
pitched  my  tent,  lorderedmy  men,  when  night  come 
on,  to  lay  themfelves  down  to  fleep.  By  a  light  that 
1  kept  burning  I  then  fct  down  to  copy  the  .naKptes  I 
had  taken  in  the  courtl?  of  the  preceding  day.  About 
ten  o'clock,  having- juftfmiflicd  my  memorandoms,  I 
Hepped  out  of  my  tent  to  fee  what  weather  it  was. 
As  I  caft  my  eyes  towards  the  bank  of  the  river,  I 
thought  I  faw  by  the  light  of  the  ftars,  which  fhonc 
bright,  fomething  that  had  the  appearance  of  a  herd 
of  beads,  coming  down  a  decent  at  fome  diftance  *, 
whilft  J|*;as  wondering  what  they  could  be,  one  of 
the>  nui'^l^r  iuddenly  fprung  up,  and  difcovercd  to  me 
the  form  of  a  man.  In  an  inftant  they  were  all  on 
their  legs,  «iia  I  could  count  about  ten  or  twelve  of 
them  running  towards  me.  I  immediately  re-entered 
the  tent,  and  having  awakened  my  men,  ordered  them 
to  take  their  armes  and  follow  me.  As  ray  firft  ap- 
prehenfions  were  for  my  canoe,  I  ran  to  the  water's 
iide,  and  found  a  party  of  In^ans  (fdf  fuch  I  now  dif- 
covercd them  to  be)  on  the  point  of  plundering- it. 
Before  I  reached  them,  I  commanded  my  men  not  to 
lire  till  I  had  given  the  word,  being  unwilling  to  be- 
gin hoftillities  unlefs  occafion  abfolutely  required.  I 
accordingly  advanced  with.refolution,  clofc  to  the 
points  of  their  fpears,  they  had  no  other  weapons,  and 
lirandilhing  my  hanger,  alked  them  with  a  ftern  voice, 
■what  they  wanted  ?  They  were  ftaggered  at  this,  and 
perc€iving  they  were  like  to  meet  with  a  warm  recep- 
tion, turned  about  and  percipitately  retreated.  We 
purfued  them  to  an  adjacent  wood,  which  they  en- 
tered, and  we  faw  no  more  of  them.     However,  for 

fear 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


3^ 


fear  of  their  return,  wc  watched  alternately  during 
the  remainder  of  the  niffiht.  The  next  day  my  fervants 
were  undcrgreat  j^rt&lnfioj^,  anil  carnftly  entreat- 
ed me  to  returH^jEO^ft'ti^ers^we  had  lately  left.  But 
I  told  them,  thai^if  ttity  would  not  be  efteemed  old 
women  (a  term  of  the  greateft  reproach  among  the 
Indians)  they  q^iuft  follow  me  ;  for  I  was  determined 
to  perfue  my  intended  route,  as  an  Englifhman,  when 
once  e;ig3ged  in  an  adventure  never  retreated*  On 
tlvis  thdf^at  into  the  canoe,  aud  I  walked  on  tlie  lliorc 
to  guard  them  from  any  further  attack.  The  party 
of  Indians  who  had  thus  intended  to  plunder  me,  I  af- 
terwards found  to  be  fome  of  thofe  ilraggling  bands, 
that  having  been  driven  from  among  the  different 
tribes  to  which  they  belonged,  for  ▼arious  crimes, 
nowaflbciate4  thcmfelves  together,and,livingby  plun- 
der, prove  very  troublefome to  travellers  whapafs  this 
way  i  nor  are  even  Indians  of  every  tribe  fptared  by 
tliem.  The  tracers  had  before  cautioned  me  to  be 
upon  my  guard  againft  them,"and  I  would  repeat  the 
fame  caution  to  thofe  whofe  bufmefs  might  call  thera 
into  thefe  parts. 

On  the  1  ft  of  Navember  I  arrived  at  Lake  Pepin, 
which  is  rather  an  extended  part  of  the  River  Mifli- 
iippi,  that  the  French  have  thus  denominated,  about 
two -hundred  miles  fro:  i  the  Ouifconfin.  The  Miffi- 
fippi  below  this  lake,  flowes  with  a  gentle  current, 
but  the  breadth  of  it  is  very  uncertain,  in  fome  places 
it  being  upwards  of  a  mile>  in  others  not  more  than 
a  quarter,  -^his  river  has  a  range  of  mountains  on 
each  fide  thfoaighout  the  whole  of  the  way  ;  whicli 
in  particular  parts  approach  near  to  it,  in  others  lie  at 
a  greater  dillance.  The  land  betwixt  the  mountains, 
and  on  their  (ides,  is  generally  covered  with  griXs, 
with  a  few  groves  of  trees  interfperfed,  near  which 
large  droves  of  deer  and  elk  are  frequently  feen  feeding. 

In  many  places  pyramids  of  rocks  appeared,  refem- 
bUng  old  ruinous  towers  }  at  others  amazing  preci- 
pices j 


l<    '■'  't  ■     ■  k 


i\  -ij  i       ■     ;■■■         rf.  ! 


■' !  ft    '^^■• 


V,  ■    ' ' 


'i>J: 


hv^ 


54 


.CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


■m 


^^1 


h 


k 


n 


m 


•J 


'I 


pices ;  and  what  is  very  remarkable,  whilfl:  this  fcenc 
prefented  itfelf  on  one  fide,  die  qppofite  fide  of  the 
fame  mountain  mws  CQviered  witk<llie  fineft  herbage, 
which  gradually  afcended  to  jti^^pnnit.  From  thence 
the  moll  beautiful  and  extenfiNi«  profpe£l:  that  ima- 
ginatioc  can  form,  opens*  to 'your  view.  Verdant 
plains,  fruitful  meadows,  numerous  inlands,  and  all 
thefe  abounding  with  a  variety  of  trees  that  yield  amaz- 
ing quantities  of  fruit,  without  care  or  cultivation  ; 
fuch  as  the  nut  tree,  the  maple  which  producfcs  fugar, 
vines  loaded  with  rich  grapes,  and  plumb-trees  bend-, 
ing  under  their  blooming  Durdens,  but  above  all,  the 
fine  river  flowing  gently  beneath,  and  reafching  as  far 
as  the  eye  can  extend,  by  turns  attra6l  your  admira- 
tion and  excite  your  wonder. 

The  Lake  is  about  twenty  miles  long»  and  near  fix 
in  breadth  ;  in  fome  places  it  is  very  deep,  and  a- 
bounds  with  various  kinds  of  fifh.  Great  numbers  of 
fowl  frequent  alfo  this  Lake  and  the  rivers  adjac^t ; 
fuch  as  fiorks,  fwans,  geefe,  brants  and  ducks  :  and 
in  f^  *  groves  are  found  great  plenty  of  turkeys  and 
p?  cridges.  On  the  plains  are  the  largeft  buffaloes  of 
any  in  America.  Here  T  obferved  the  ruins  of  a 
French  fadtory,  where  it  is  faid  Captain  St.  Pierie  re- 
fided,  and  carried  on  a  very  great  trade  with  thcNau- 
doweflies,  before  the  redu£fcion  of  Canada. 

About  fixty  miles  below  this  Lake  is  a  mountain  re- 
markably fituated ;  for  it  fVands  by  itfelf  exa£lly  in 
the  middle  of  tlie  River,  ^nd  looks  as  if  it  had  Hidden 
from  the  adjacent  fhore  into  the  ftream.  It  cannot  be 
termed  an  ifland,  as  jt  rifes  immediately  from  the 
brink  of  the  water  to  a  ccnfiderabl??  height.  Both  the 
Indians  and  :he  French  call  it  the  Mountain  h  the 
River. 

One  day  having  landejl  on  the  fhore  of  the  MifTifip- 
p\f  fome  miles  below  Lake  Pepin,  whilft  my  atten- 
dants were  preparing  my  dinner,  I  walked  out  to  take 
a  view  of  the  adjacent  country.    I  had  not  proceed- 
ed 


CAItVER'i  TRAVELS. 


35 


cd  far,  before  I  came  to  a  fine,  level,  open  plain,  nn 
which  I  perceived  lit  a  little  diltance  ;i  prvrtial  eleva- 
tion that  had  the  appearauce  jpf  an  intvenchment.  On 
a  nearer  infpe£t:Ion  1  %ad  greater  reafon  to  fuppole 
that  it  had  really  becu^mtended  for  this  ma  nv  cfcntu- 
ries  ago.     Notwithitattding  it  was  now  or      jd  with  • 
grgfs,  I  could  plainly  dilcern  that  it  had    ..ce  been  a 
breaft  work  of  about  four  feet  in  height,  extending 
the  bell  part  of  a  mile,  and  fufliciently  capacious  to 
cover  ftife  thoufand  men.     Its  form  was  ibmewhat 
circular,  and  its  flanks  reached  to  the  River.  Though 
much  defaced  by  time,  every  angle  was  diftinguiiiia- 
blc,  and  apjicared  as  regular,   and  failiioned  with  as 
much  military  Ikill,  as  if  planned  by  Vauba  i  himfelf. 
The  ditch  was  not  vifible,  but  I  thougiit  on  examin- 
ing more  curioufly,  that  I  could  j^erceive  there  cer- 
tainly had  been  one.     From  its  fituation  alfo,  I  am- . 
convinced  that  it  mufii  have  been  deHgned  ;for  this 
pmfpofe.     It  fronted  the  country,  and  the  rear  was 
covered  by   the  River ;    nor   was  there   any  rifing 
ground  for  a  confiderable  way,  that  commanded  it ; 
a  few  draggling  oaks  were  alone  to  be  feen  near  it. 
In  many  places  fmall  tracts  were  worn  acrofs  it  by 
the  feet  of  the  eiks  and"  deer;  aiid  from  the  depth  of 
the  bed  of  earth  by  which  it  wa^  covered,  I  was  able 
to  draw  certain  conciufiotis  of  its  great  antiquity.     I 
examined  all  the  angles,  and  every  part  with  great  at- 
tention, and  have  often  bl-amed  ir.yfeJf  fince,  for  not 
encamping  on  the  fpot,  and  drawing  an  c::adt  plan  of 
it.    To  {hew  that  this  dcfcfiption  \s  not  the  offspring 
of  a  heated  imagination,  or  the  chimerical  tale  of  a 
miftaken  traveller,  I  find  on  enquiry  fmcc  my  return, 
that  Monf.  St.  Pierre,  and  feveral  traders,  have,  at 
different  times^  taken  notice  of  fimilar  appearances, 
on  which  they  have  form.ed  the  fame    conjediures, 
but  v/ithout  examining  tliem  fo  minutely  as  I  did. 
How  a  work  of  this  kind  coulibcxift  in  a  country  that 
hiW  iiitherto  (according  lo  the  general  received  opin- 
ion) been  the  feat  of  war  to  untutored  Indiana  alone, 

wliofc 


I 


1   ..•'•»*^-i:\u 


III 


'*'<■ 


^:    M 


3^  CARVER'S  TRAX'TILS. 

whofe  whole  ftock  of  military , knowledge  has  only, 
till  within  two  cent\j|ries,  amoiiQted  to  drawing  the 
bow,  and  whofc  only  bfcad-wprk,  ^vcn  at  prefent^ 
is  the  thicket,  I  know  not.  I  fi^vc  given  as  cxa<5l  an  j  i 
account  as  poffiblc,  of  this  fin'gular  appearance,  and ' 
leave  to  future  explorers  of  thde  diftant  regions,  to 
xlifcover  whether  it  is  a  production  of  nature  or  art." 

Perhaps  the  hints  I  have  h«ie  given,  might  lead  toa 
more  perfe<^  invelligation  of  it,  and  give  us  very  dif- 
ferent ideas  of  the  antient  ftate  of  realms  that  we  at 
prefent  believe  to  have  been  from  the  «arlicft  period 
only  the  habitations  of  favages,  ;^ 

The  Miififippi,  as  far  as  tJie  entrance  of %e  ICiver 
St.  Croix,  thirty  miles  above  Lake  Pepin,  is  very  full 
of  iflands  j  fome  of  which  are  of  a  coniiderable  length. 
On  thcfe  alfo,  grow  great  numbers  of  Cfeft,  maple  or 
fugar  tree,  and  around  them  vines  loaded  with  grapes 
creepit^o  their  very  tops.  From  the  Lake  upw^fis 
few  mouqtains  are  to  be  feen,  and  thofe  but  fmai^*ilf 
Near  the  River  St.  Croix,  refide  three  bands  ojf  the 
Naudoweilte  IndianSi  called  the  River  Bands. 

This  nation  is  compofed,  at  prefent  of  eleven  bands. 
They  were  originally  twelve  ;  but  the  Aifinipoils 
fome  years  ago,  revolting,  and  feparaiting  tliemfelves 
from  the  others,  there  remain  only  at  this  time  ele- 
ven.^ Thofe  I  met  here  are  termed  the  RivCr  Bands ; 
becaufe  they  chiefly  dwell  near  the  banks  of  this  Riv- 
er :  the  other  eight  are  generally  diftinguilhed  by 
the  title,  Naudoweilies  of  the  Plains,  and  inhabit  a 
country  that  ]ies  more  tot^e  weftward.  The  names 
of  the  former  are  the  Nehogatawonahs,  the  Mawtaw- 
bauntowahs,  and  the  Shahfweeiitowalis^  and  conful 
of  about  four  hundred  warriors. 

A  little  before- 1  met  with  thefc  three  banda,  I  fell 
in  with  a  party  o|,jJic  Mawtawbauntowahs  amount- 
ing to  forty  vv-nrriors  and  their  families.  V/ith  thefc 
I  refided  a  day  or  two,  miring  >vhicivtlmc  live  or  fix 
of  thijir  number  who  had  been  outonan  excurfion,  re- 
turned 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


37 


turned  in  great  hafle,  and  acquainted  their  compan- 
'  ions  tlrat  a  large  party  of  the  Chipcvvay  \varriors,  '*c- 
iioiigh,"  as  they  cxprcfled  themlclvcs,  "  to  IvvmHov 
thcni  all  up'*  were  clofe  at  their  heels,  and  on  the 
point  ot'attacking  their  little  camp.  The  chiefs  ap- 
plied to  me  and  defired  I  would  put  myfelf  at  theij; 
head,  and  lead  them  out  to  oppofe  their  enemies.  A'; 
I  was  a  fbranger,  and  unwilling  to  excite  the  anger 
of  either  nation,  I  knew  not  how  to  a6t ;  and  never 
found  myfelf  in  a  greater  dilemma.  Had  I  refufcd. 
10  aflifl;  the  Naudoweflies  I  fliould  have  drawn  on 
myfelf  then*  difpleafure,  or  had  I  met  the  Chipewavs 
with  hoftile  intentions,  I  Ihould  have  made  that  peo- 
ple my  foes,  and  had  I  been  fortunate  enough  to  havi^ 
efcaped  their  arrows  at  this  time,  on  fome  future  oc- 
cafion  fliould  probably  have  experienced  the  feveritv 
of  their  revenge.  In  this  extremity  I  chofe  the  mid- 
dle courfe,  and  defired  that  the  NaudowefTics  woukl 
fuiFer  me  to  meet  them,  that  I  might  endeavour  to  a- 
vert  their  fury.  To  this  they  rclucLaiitly  afiented,  be- 
ing perfuaded,  from  the  inveteracy  which  had  lonu; 
prevailed  between  tliem,  tliat  my  rcmonitrances 
would  be  in  vain. 

Taking  my  Frenchman  v/iih  me,  who  could  fpcak 
their  language,  I  haftened  toward  .  the  place  where 
the  Chipeways  were  fuppofcd  to  be.  The  Naudowcf- 
iies,  during  this,  kept  at  a  diftance  behind.  As  I  ap- 
proached them  with  the  pipe  of  peace,  a  fma!l  partv 
of  their  chiefs,  confiding  of  about  eight  or  ton,  came 
in  a  friendly  manner  towards  me  ;  with  whom,  by  the. 
means  of  my  interpreter,  I  held  a  lon^  converfution  ; 
the  refult  of  which  was,  that  their  rancor  hcino- b'.'- 
my  perfuafionsin  fome  meafure  molliried,  thev  n<'V;?ed 
to  turn  back,  without  accomplilhing  their  favaii^e  pur- 
poics.^  .  iJurnig  our  dltcouvfe  I  could  perceive,  as  they 
hiy  Icattered  about,  that  tlie  party  was  very  mmiCTbu's, 
and  many  of  them  armed  witli  muikets. 

llavini^-  happily   fucceedcd  in  my  undertaking,  I 

D  leturnd 


1  ji 


m 


3» 


CARVKR's  TRAVELS. 


n.xa 


rcUirticd  witliout.  delay  to  the  Naudowcilies,  and  de- 
iircd  they  would  iniliuuly  remove  their  camp  to  fomc 
other  part  of  the  country,  Icfb  their  enemies  fliouKl 
repent  of  the  promifethey  had  given,  and  put  their 
imcntions  in  execution.  They  iiccordinglv  followed 
my  ndvice,  and  immediately  prepared  to  llrike  their 
tents.  WhiHt  <hey  were  doing  this,  they  loaded  me 
Avith  thanks  i  and  wlicn  I  had  feen  them  on  board 
their  canoes,  1  pcrfucd  my  route. 

To  this  adventure  I  was  chiefly  indebted  for  the 
fricnilly  reception  I  afterwards  met  with  from  the 
Naudoweffics  of. the  Plains,  and  for  the  rcfpe.cl  and 
lionors.I  riiceived    during  my  abode    among  them. 

And  when  I  arrived  many  months  after  nt  the 
Chipeway  village,  near  the  Ottowaw  lakes,  I  found 
that  my  fame  had  reached. that  place  before  me.  The 
chiefs  received  me  with  great  cordiality,  and  the  el- 
der part  of  them  thanked  me  for  the  mifchief  I  hud 
prevented.  They  informed  me,  that  the  war  be- 
tween their  nation  and  thcNapdoweflies  had  continu- 
ed without  interruption  for  more  thaji  forty  winters. 
That  they  liad  long  wiflied  to  put  an  end  to  it,  but 
this  was  generally  prevented  by  the  young  warriors  of 
cither  nation,  who  could  not  reflrain  their  ardor  when 
they  met.  They  faid,  they  fhould  be  happy  if  fome 
chief  of  the  (iime  pacific  difpofition  as  myfelf,  and 
who  poflefTed  an,eqviaj  degree  of  refolution  and  ccoU 
ncfs,  would  fettle  in  the  country  between  the  two  na- 
tions •,  for  by  the  interference  of  fuch  a  perfon,  an 
accommodation,  which  on  their  parts  they  fmcerely 
(icfircd,  might  be  brought  about.  As  I  did  not  meet 
any  of  the  Naudoweflles  afterwards,  I  had  not  an  op- 
portunity of  forwarding  fo  good  a  work. 

About  thirty  miles  below  the  falls  of  St.  Antliony, 
•.it  which  I  arrived  the  tenth  day  after  I  left  Lake 
Pepin,  is  a  remarkable  cave  of  an  amazing  depth. 
The  Indlar.s  term  it  Wakon-teebe,  that  is,  the  Dwel- 
ling of  the  Great  Spirit.    The  entrance  into  it  is  about 

ten 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


39 


tVn  feet  wide,  the  heigl\t  of  it  five  feet.  The  arcU 
within  is  near  rifteen  t'cet  high  aiij  about  thirty  t'cec 
broaJ.  The  bottom  of  it  coulilr-,  of  line  clc.ir  i.unl. 
i^bout  twenty  feet  from  the  entrance  begins  a  lake, 
the  water  of  which  is  Wmfparent,  and  extemls  to  an 
unfcarchable  diilance  ;  for  the  darkncfs  of  the  eavc 
prevents  all  attempts  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  it.  1 
threw  a  fmiill  pebble  towards  the  interior  parts  of  it, 
with  my  utmoft  ftrength  5  I  could  hear  th.it  it  fell  in- 
to the  water,  and  notwithltanding  it  was  of  a  fm»ill 
fize,  it  catifed  an  aftonlfliii'g  and  horrible  noife,  that 
reverberated  through  all  lUofe  gloomy  regions.  I 
found  in  this  cave  many  Indian  hieroglyphics,  which 
appeared  very  ancient,  for  time  hud  nearly  covered 
them  with  niofs,  fo  that  it  was  with  diiiiculty  I  could 
trace  them.  'Ihey  were  cut  in  a  rude  manner,  upou 
the  infide  of  the  walls,  which  were  compoled  of  a 
ftonefo  extremely  foft  that  it  mi  ht  eafily  be  penetrated 
with  a  knife  :  a  fioiiQ  every  where  to  be  foun  !  near 
the  Miflilippi.  T"he  cave  is  only  acccfhble  by  afceri- 
ding  a  narrow,  deep  pailage,  that  lies  near  the  brink 
of  the  river. 

At  a  little  diftance  from  this  drary  cavern,  is  the 
burying -place  of  feveral  bands  of  the  Naudowelhe  In- 
dians :  though  thefe  people  have  no  fixed  refidence, 
living  in  tents  and  abiding butafewmonthsononefpct, 
yet  they  always  bring  the  bones  of  their  dead  to  ihi3 
place  J  which  they  take  the  opportunity  of  doing  v/hen 
the  chiefs  meet  to  Aold  their  councils,  and  to  fettle  all 
public  affairs  for  the  enfuing  fummer. 

Ten  miles  below  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  the  Ri- 
ver St.  Pierre,  called  by  the  natives  the  Waddapaw- 
menefotor,  falls  into  the  Miflifippi  from  the  weft.  It 
is  not  mentioned  by  Father  Htjnnipin,  although  a  large, 
fair  river,  :  this  omifiion  I  conclude,  muft  have  pro- 
ceeded from  a  fmall  ifland  that  is  fituated  exa(flly  at  its 
entrance,  by  which  the  fight  of  it  is  intercepted.  I 
ihould  not  have  difeovered  tliis  river  mvfelf,  had  I  not 

taken 


■ft  ;'■  i' 


4i '  I 


40 


CARVER'S  TRA\T.LS. 


.;   I, 


'fell 


taken  a  view,  when  I  was  fearching  for  It,  from  tlic 
high  lands  qppofitc,  which  rife  to  a  great  height. 

Nearly  over  againft  this  river,  I  was  obliged  to  leave 
my  canoe,  on  account  of  theice,  and  travel  by  land  to 
tlie  YdWs  of  St.  Anthony,  wnere  I  arrived  on  the  1 7th 
of  November.  The  Miflifippi  from  the  St.  Pierre  to 
this  pl.;ce,  is  rather  more  rapid  than  I  had  hitherto 
foinid  it,  and  without  iflands  of  any  confideration. 

Before  I  left  my  canoe  I  overtook  a  young  prince 
of  thsi  Winnebago  Indians,  who  was  going  on  an  em- 
haiTv  to  fome  of  the  bands  of  the  Naudowefties.  ''ind- 
;;ig  that  I  intended  to  take  a  view  of  the  Falls,  he  a- 
j.;resd  to  accompany  me,  his  curiolitv  having  been  of- 
ren  excited  by  the  accounts  he  had  received  from  fome 
«.f  his  chiefs  :  he  accordingly  left  his  family  (foil^'the 
.'Indians  never  travel  without  their  houlholds)  at  this 
jilace,  under  the  care  of  my  Mohawk  fervant,  and  we 
proceeded  together  by  land,  attended  only  by  my 
.Fr€r;]inian,  to  this  celr.brated  place. 

Av'e  could  diilinclly  hear  the  noife' of  the  water  full 
iiitcen  miles  before  we  reached  the  falls  ;  and  I  was 
jiira:  y  pleafid  ami  furprifed,  when  I  approached  this 
iiflonilhing  work  of  nature  ;  but  I  was  not  long  at  li- 
Icrty  to  indulge  thcfe  emotions,  my  attention  being 
»;alled  off  by  the  behaviour  of  my  covnpanion. 

The  prince  had  no  fooner  gained  the  point  that  o- 
vcrlooks  this  wonderful  cafcade,than  he  began  with 
an  audible  voice  to  addrefs  the  Great  Spirit,  one  of 
whofe  places  of  rcfidence  he  imagined  this  to  be.  He 
told  him  that  he  had  come  a  long  way  to  pay  his  ado- 
rations to  him,  ai.d  now  would  make  him  the  bed  of- 
ferings in  his  power.  lie  accordingly  firft  threw  his 
pipe  into  the  ftream  ;  then  the  roll  that  contained  his 
tobacco  ;  after  thefe,  the  bracelets  he  wore  on  hit; 
arms  and  wrifts ;  next  an  ornament  that  encircled 
his  neck,  compofed  of  beads  and  wires;  and  at  lall  the 
ear-rings  from  hi^  ears  ;  in  fliort  he  prefented  to  his 
god,  every  part  of  his  drcfs  that  was  valuable  ;  during- 

this 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


4t 


this  he  frequently  fmote  his  bread  with  great  violence 
threw  his  arms  about,  and  appeared  to  be  much  agi- 
tated. 

All  this  while  he  continued  his  adorations  and  at 
length  concluded  them  with  fervent  petitions  that  the 
Great  Spirit  would  conllantly  aiford  us  his  protcdion 
on  our  travels,  giving  us  a  bright  fun, a  blue  (ley,  and 
clear,  untroubled  waters;  nor  would  he  leave  the  place 
till  we  had  fmoked  together  with  my  pipe,  in  honor  of 
the  Great  SpiriL 

I  was  greatly  fupprifed  at  beholding  an  inftance  of 
fuch  elevated  devotion  in  ib  yo  ing  an  Indian,  and  in- 
flead  of  ridiculing  tlie  ceremonies  attending  it,  as  I 
obferved  my  catholic  fervant  tacitly  did,  I  looked  on 
the  prince  with  a  greater  degree  of  refpecSl  for  thefe 
fincere  proofs  he  gave  of  his  piety  ;  and  I  doubt  not 
but  that  his  offerings  and  prays  were  as.  acceptable  to 
tiie  univerfal  Parent  of  mankind,  as  if  they  had  been 
made  with  greater  pomp,  or  in  a  eonfecrated  place. 

Indeed,  the  whole  condu£l  of  this  young  prince  at 
once  amazed  and  charmed  me.  During  the  few  days 
we  were  together^  his  attention  feemed  totally  to  be 
employedin  yielding  me  every  afliftance  in  his  power ; 
and  e^en  in  fo  iliorta  time,  he  gave  me  innumerable 
proofs  of  the  mofl  generous  and  difintcrelled  fricnil- 
fhip  J  fo  that  on  our  return  I  parted  from  him  wiih 
great  rclu£tance;  Whilll  I  beheld  tiie  artlelj?,  yet  en- 
gaging manners  of  this  unpolilhed  Cavage,  I  could  net 
help  drawing  a  comparifon  between  him  and  fome  of 
tiie  morerefined  inhabitants  of  civilized  countries,  not 
>nuch,  lown,  in  favor  of  the  latter. 

The  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  received  their  name  from 
Father  Louis  Hennipin,  a  French  miflionary,  who  tra- 
velled into  thefe  parts  about  theyear  i68o,and  was  the 
iirft  European  ever  feen  by  the  natives.  This  amazing 
body  of  waters,  which  are  above  250  yards  over,  form 
a  moft  plcafing  catarajiil  j  they  fall  perpendicularly  a- 
bout  iliii  ty  feet,  and  the  rapid?  below,  in  the  fpace  of 

D  2  300 


.p-s- 


m 


.  t  i. 


C 


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4W 


1 

1 

^ 

■ 

1 

1 

1 

42 


CARVER'S   TRAVELS. 


?- 


j« 


I 


•I 


;-foo  yards  more,  render  the  defent  confiderablygrea 
er  J  {o  that  when  viewed  at  a  diftance,  they  appear  ta 
bemuch  higher  than  they  really  are.  The  above  men- 
tioned traveller  has  laid  them  down  at  above  fixty  feet; 
but  he  has  made  a  greater  error  in  calculating  ther 
height  of  the  Falls  of  Niagara;  which  he  aflerts  to  be 
<5oo  feet ;  whereas  from  later  obfcrvations  accurately 
made,  it  is  well  known  that  it  does  notexceed  140  feet, 
Bu>-  the  good  father  I  fear  too  often  had  no  other  foun- 
dation for  his  accounts,  than  report^  L-r,  at  bell,  a 
ilight  infpe<Slion. 

•  In  the  middle  of  the  Falls  flnnds  a  fmall  ifland,  a- 
bout  Sorty  feet  broad  and  fomcwhat  longer,  on  which 
grow  a  few  cragged  hemlock  and  fpruce  trees  ;  and  a- 
bout  half  way  between  this  ifland  and  the  eadern  (here 
is  a  rock,  lying  at  the  very  edge  of  the  Fall,  in  an  ob- 
lique poiition,  that  appeared  to  be  about  five  or  fix 
fett  broad,  and  thirty  o  forty  long.  Thefe  Falls  vary 
much  from  all  the  others  I  havs  fecn,as  you  may  ap- 
proach clofe  to  them  without  finding  the  Icafl  obftruc- 
ticn  from  any  intervening  hill  or  precipice. 

The  country  around  them  is -extremely  beautifuL 
It  is  not  an  uninterrupted  plain,  where  the  eye,  finds 
no  relief,  but  compofed  of  many  gentle  afisents,  which 
in  the  fummer  arc  covered  with  the  fineft  vcrder,  and 
inrerfperfed  with  little  groves,  that  give  a  pleafing  va- 
riety to  tlie  profpe^t.  On  the  whole,  when  the  Falls 
are  included,  which  may  be  feen  at  the  diftance  of  four 
miles,  a  more  pleafing  and  pi(Slurefque  view  cannot,  I 
believe,  be  found  through  the  univerfe.  I  could  have 
"wilhel  that  Fhad  happened  to  enjoy  this  glorious  fight 
at  a  moie  feafonable  time  of  the  year,  whilfl  the  trees- 
and  hillocks  were  clad  in  nature's  gayeft  livery,  as  this 
muft  have  greatly  added  to  the  pleafure  I  received  j 
however  even  then  it  exceeded  my  warmeft  expedla- 
tions.  I  have  endeavoured  to  give  the  reader  as  juft 
an  idea  of  this  enchanting  fpot,  as  pofllble  j  but  allde- 
fcrlption,  whether  of  the  pencil  or  the  pen,  mult  fall 
infiiiitely  Ihort  of  the  original.  At 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


43 


At  a  little  diftance  below  the  Falls  ftantla  a  fmall 
ifland,of  about  an  acre  and  an  half,  on  which  grow  a 
great  number  of  oak  trees,  every  branch  of  which  a- 
bie  to  fapport  the  weight,  was  full  of  eagles  nefls. 
The  reafon  that  this  kind  of  bfrds  refort  in  fuch  num- 
bers to  this  fpot,  is,  that  they  are  here  fecure  from  the 
attacks  either  of  man  or  beuft,  their  retreat  being 
guarded  by  the  rapids,  which  the  Indians  never  at- 
tempt to  pafs.  Another  reafon  is,  that  they  find  a 
conftant  fupply  of  food  for  themfelves  and  their  young, 
from  the  animals  and  fiih  which  are  dsifhed  to  pieces 
by  the  Falls,  and  driven  on  the  adjacent  (hore. 

Having  fatisfied  my  curioiity,  as  far  as  the  eye  of 
rnan  can  be  fatisfied,  I  proceeded,  on,  ftilK  accompa- 
nied by  my  young  friend,  till  I  had  reached  the  River 
St.  Prancis,  near  fixty  miles  above  the  falls.  To  this 
river  Father  Hennipin  gave  the  name  of  St.  Francis, 
and  this  was  the  extent  of  his  travels,  as  well  as  mine, 
towards  the  northweft.  As  the  feafon  was  fo  advanc- 
ed, and  the  weather  extremely  cold,  1  was  not  able 
to  make  fo  many  obfervatioiss  on  thefc  parts  as  X  oth- 
erwife  iliould  have  done. 

It  might  however,  perhaps,  be  neccflary  to  obferve 
that  in  the  little  tour  I  made  about  the  Falls,  after 
travelling  fourteen  miles,  by  the  fide  of  the  Miffifippi, 
I  came  to  a  river  nearly  twenty  yards  wide,  which  ran 
from  the  north  eaft,  called  Rum  River.  And  on  the 
2oth  of  November  came  to  another  termed  Goofe 
River,  about  twelve  yards  wide.  On  the  21ft  I  arri- 
ved at  the  St.  Francis,  which  is  about  thirty  yards 
wide.  Here  the  Miffifippi  itfelf  grows  narrow,  being 
not  more  than  nmety  yards  over  j  and  appears  to  be 
chiefly  compofed  of  fmall  brandies.  The  ice  prevent- 
ed me  from  noticing  the  depth  of  any  of  thefe  three 
rivers. 

The  country  in  fome  places  is  hilly,  but  without 
large  mountains  j  and  the  land  is  tolerably  good.  I 
obfervrd  here  many  deer  and  carriboos,  fome  elk,  with 

abundance 


mvfA  -w 


^t.:mi'-r 


m 


% 


'I  / 


44^ 


CARVER'^s  TRAVELS. 


4 


,  u^ 


I'' 


abundance  of  beavers,  otters,  and  other  furs.  A  lit- 
tie  above  this,  to  the  north  eaft,  are  a  number  of 
fmall  lakes  called  the  Thoufand  Lakes ;  the  parts 
about  which,  though  but  little  frequented,  are  the! 
beft  within  many  miles,  for  hunting,  as  the  hunter 
never  fails  of  returning  loaded  beyond  hi$expe£lations. 

The  Miflifippi  has  never  been  explored  higher  up 
than  the  River  St.  Francis,  and  only  by  Father  Hen- 
nipin  and  myfelf  thus  far.  So  that  we  are  obliged 
folely  to  the  Indians,  for  all  the  intelligence  we  aic 
able  to  give  relative  to  the  more  northern  parts.  As 
this  River  is  not  navigable  from  the  fea  for  veflels  of 
any  confiderable  buKhen,  much  higher  up  than  the 
Forks  of  the  Ohio,  and  even  that  is  accompliflied  with 
great  difficulty,  owing  to  the  rapidity  of  the  current, 
and  the  windings  of  the  river;  thofe  fettlements  that 
may  be  made  on  the  interior  branches  ©f  it,  muft  be 
indifputably  fecure  from  the  attacks  of  any  maritime 
power.  But  at  the  fame  time  the  fettlers  will  have  the 
advantage  of  being  able  to  convey  their  produce  to  the 
fcaports,  with  great  facility,  the  current  ofthe  river 
from  its  fouroe  to  its  entrance  into  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico, being  extremely  favorable  for  doing  this  in  fmall 
craft.  This  might  alfo  in  time  be  facilitated  by  canafls 
or  fhorter  cuts ;  and  a  communication  opened  by  wa- 
ter with  New- York,  Canada,  &c.by  way  ofthe  lakes. 
The  Forks  of  the  Ohio  are  about  nine  hundred  miles 
from  the  mouth  ofthe  Miflifippi,  following  the  courfe 
of  the  river  y  and  the  Meflbrie  two  hundred  miles  a- 
bove  thefe*  From  the  latter  it  is  about  twenty  mile, 
to  the  Illinois  River,  and  fronv  that  to  the  Guifconfins 
which  I  have  given  an  account  of,  about  eight  hun- 
dred mor€. 

On  the  25th  I  returned  to  my  canoe,  which  I  had 
Ibft  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  St.  Pierre  ;  and  here  I 
partedwith regret  from  my  young  friend,  the  prince 
of  the  Winnebagoes.  This  river  being  clear  of  ice, 
by  reafon  of  its  fouthern  fituation^  I  found  nothing,  to 

©bftrua 


CARVKR'5  TRAVELS. 


45 


^)l)llrucl  my  p^fi'iige.  On  the  28th,  being  advanced 
about  fdrty  miles,  I  arrived  at  a  fmall  branch  that  fell 
into  it  from  the  north  j  to  which,  as  it  had  no  name 
that  I  could  diftinguifli  it  by,  I  gave* my  own.  About 
forty  miles  higher  up  I  came  to  the  Forks  of  Verd  and 
Red  Marble  Rivers,  which  join  atfome  little  diftanee 
before  they  enter  the  St.  Pierre. 

The  River  St.  Pierre,  at  its  jun£lion  with  the  Mif- 
fifippi,  is  about  a  hundred  yards  broad,  and  continues 
that  breadth  nearly  all  the  way  I  failed  upon  it.  It 
has  a  great  depth  of  water,  and  in  feme  places  runs 
very  brKkly.  About  fifty  miles  from  its  mouth  are 
feme  rapids, and  muchhigherup  there  are  many  others. 

I  proceeded  up  this  river  about  two  hundred  miles 
to  the  country  of  the  NaudowefTies  of  the  Plains,  which 
lies  a  little  aboveufhe  Forks  formed  by  the  Verd  and 
Red  Marble  Rivers,  juft  mentioned,  where  a  branch 
froni  the  fouth  nearly  joins  the  MefTorie  River.  By 
the  accounts  I  received  from  the  Indians,  I  have  Tca- 
lon  to  believe  that  the  River  St,  Pierre  and  the  Mcf- 
forie,  though  they  enter  the  Miflifippi  twelve  hundred 
miles  from  each  other,  take  their  rife  in  the  famenolgh-' 
bourhood  ;.  and  this  within  the  fpace  of  a  mile. 

The  River  St.  Pierre's  northern  branch  rifes  from 
a  number  of  lakes  near  the  fhining  mountains  ;  and  it 
is  from  fome  of  thefe,  alfo,  that  a  capital  branch  of  the 
River  Bourbon,  which  runs  into  Hudfon's  Bay,  has  its 
fources. 

From  the  intelligence  I  gained  from  the  Njfudowef- 
fie  Indians,  among  whom  I  arrived  on  the  7th  of  De- 
cember, and  whofe  language  I  perfeftly  acquired  du- 
ring a  refidence  of  five  months  ;  and  alfo  from  the 
accounts  I  afterwards  obtained  from  the  Aflinipoils, 
who  fpeak  the  fame  tongue,  being  a  revolted  band  of 
the  Naudoweflies ;  and  from  the  Killiftinoes,  neigh- 
bours of  the  Aflinipoils,  who  fpeak  the  Chipeway  lan- 
guage, and  inhabit  the  heads  of  the  River  Bourbon ; 
i  fay  from  thefe  nations,  together  with  my  own  ob- 

fervationSi 


H : 


■I  .■•!•■        i 
'*■  1     }     i  ■■       .'•  i 


C:'V 


f6 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


4 


■^ 


li 


fervatians,  I  have  learned  that  the  four  niofi:  capital 
rivers  on  the  Continent  of  North  America,  viz,  the  St* 
Lawrence,  the  Miffifippi,  the  river  Bourbon,  and  the 
Oregon  or  the  river  of  the  Weft  (as  Ihinted  in  my  hi- 
trodudion)  have  their  fou'rces  in  the  lame  neighbour- 
hpod:  The  waters  of  the  three  former  are  within 
thirty  miles  of  each  other  j  the  latter,  however  is  r^i- 
ther  further  weft.' 

This  fliews  that  thefe  parts  are  the  higheft  lands  in 
North-America  ;  and  it  is  an  inftance  r.ot  to  be  purel- 
leled  on  the  other  three  quarters  of  the  globe,  that 
four  rivers  of  fuch  magnitude  fliould  take  their  rile  to- 
gether, and  each,  after  running  feperate  courfes,  ilif- 
charge  their  Waters  into  difFei'ent  oceans  at  the  dif- 
tance  of  two  thoufand  miles  from  their  fources.  !  or 
in  their  pa^Tage  from  this  fpot  to  tl]^  bay  of  St.  Law- 
rence, eaft  i  to  the  Bay  of  Mexico,  fouth  j  to  Hud- 
fon's  Bay,  north;  and  to  the  bay  at  the  Straits  of  An- 
nian  weft,  each  of  thefe  traverfe  upwards  of  two  thou- 
fand miles.    '    . 

I  ihall  here  give  my  readers  fuch  refledlions  as  oc- 
curred to  me,whenlhad  received  this  intereftinginfor- 
mation,  and  had  by  numberlefs  enquiries,  afccrtained 
the  truth  of  it ;  that'is,  as  far  aa  it  wa»  poflible  to  at- 
rive  at  a  certainty  without  a  perfonal  inveftigation*. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Colonies,  particularly  thofe 
of  New-England  and  Canadaj  are  greatly  afFefted,  a- 
bout  the  time  their  winter  fets  in,  by  a  north-weft 
wind,  which  contiiiufes  for  feveral  months,  and  ren- 
ders the  cold  much  more  intenfe  there  than  it  is  ih 
the  interior  parts  of  America-.  This  I  can,  fror"  my 
own  knowledge,  aflert,  as  I  found  the  winter,  that  1 
pafled  to  the  weftward  of  the  Miflifippi,  far  from  fc- 
vere  j  and  the  north-weft  wind  blowing  on  thofe  coun- 
tries confiderable  more  temperate  than  I  have  often 
experienced  it  to  be  nearer  the  coaft.  And  that  this 
did  not  arife  from  an  uncertainty  of  the  feafons,  but 
Wiis  annually  the  cafc>  1  conclude,  both  from  the  fmail 

quantity 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


+7 


<^iiantity  of  fnow  that  then  fell,  and  a  total  difufe  of 
ftiow-fliocs  by  thefc  Indians,  vithout  which  none  of 
the  more  eaftern  nations  can  poflibly  travel  during  the 
winter. 

As  naturalifts  obferve,  that  air  refembles  water  in 
many  refpe£ls,  particularly  by  oftrn  flowing  in  a  com- 
pa£t  body  ;  and  that  this  is  generally  remarked  to  be 
with  the  current  of- large  ftreanis,  and  feldom  acrofs 
them,  may  not  the  winds  that  fet  violently  into  the 
Bay  of  Mexico  about  the  latter  end  of  the  year,  take 
their  courfe  over  the  continent  in  the  famediref^iona^ 
the  Miflifippidoes;  till  rneetirg  with  the  north  winds 
(,that  from  a  (imilar  caufe  blow  up  the  Bourbon  from 
Hudfon's  Bay)  they  arc  forced  acrofs  ihe  great  lakes, 
down  the  current  of  the  waters  of  the  St.  Lawience, 
and  united,  commit  thofe  ravages,  and  occafion  thofe 
fevere  winters,  experienced  in  the  before-mentioned 
countries  ?  ^During  their  progrefs  over  the  lakes  they 
become  expanded,  and  confeau6ntly  affedt  a  greater 
tradl  of  land  than  they  otherwife  would  jdo. 

According  to  my  fcanty  knowledge  of  natural  phi- 
lofophy,  this  does  not  appear  improbable.  Whcth-. 
er  it  is  agreeable  to  the  laws  eft;iblinied  by  naturalifts 
to  account  for  the  operations  of  that  element,  I  know 
not.  However,  the  defcription  here  given  of  the  fitu- 
aiion  of  thefe  vaft  bodi(?s  of  water,  and  their  near  ap- 
proach to  each  other,  with  my  own  undigcfted  fup- 
pofitions  of  their  efFetl  on  the  winds,  may  prove  per- 
haps, in  abler  hands,  J:he  means  of  leading  to  many 
ufeful  difcoveries. 

On  the  7th  of  December,  T  arrived  (as,  I  faid  before) 
at  the  utmoft  extent  of  my  travels  towards  the  weft ; 
where  I  met  with  a  large  party  of  the  Naudoweflic 
Indians,  among  whom  I  refided  feven  months.  Thcfe 
conftituted  a  part  of  the  eight  .bands  of  the  Naudo.r 
weflies  of  the  Plains  ;  and  are  termed  the  Wawpeen- 
towahs,the  Tintons,  the  Afrahcootans,  theMavvhaws, 
aiid  the  Schians.     The   other  three  ban^ls,  whofe 

names 


tfl 


H' 


!4       > 


\\i 


•  t 


'^"Wt)' 


'  '%'}  Tit 


m 


?4i 


48 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


Rm. 


names  are,  ilieScluanefe,  theChongoulccton,  and  the 
Waddapawjcltin,  dwell  higher  up,  to  the  weft  of  the 
River  St.  Pierre,  on  plains  that,  according  to  their  ac- 
count, are  unbounded;  and  probably  terminate  on  the 
coaftofthe  PacificOcean.  The  Naudowcflie  nation, 
when  united,  confifts  of  more  than  two  thoufand  war- 
riors. The  Aflinpoils,whorevolted  from  them,  amount 
to  about  three  hundred  ;,  and  league  with  theKillilli. 
noes,  live  in  a  continual  Itatc  of  enmity  with  the  other 
eleven  bands. 

As  I  proceeded  up  the  River  St.  Pierre,  and  liad 
nearly  reached  the  place  where  thefe  people  were  en- 
camped,! obferved  two  or  three  canoes  coming  down 
the  ftream  ;  but  no  fooner  had  the  Indians  that  were 
on  board  them,  difcovered  us,  than  they  rowed  to- 
ward the  land,  and  leaping  afhore  y/ith  precipitation, 
left  their  canoes  to  float  as  the  current  drove  them. 
In  a  few  minutes  I  perceived  Tome  others  ;  who,  as 
foon  as  they  came  in  fight,  followed  y/ith  equal  fpeed> 
the  example  of  their  countrymen. 

I  now  thought  it  ncccflary  to  proceed  witli  caution  j 
and  therefore  kept  on  the  fide  of  the  river  oppofite 
to  that  on  which  the  Indians  had  lande<l.  However, 
(  ftill  continued  my  courfe,  fatifiied  that  the  pipe  of 
peace,  which  was  lixcd  at  the  head  of  my  canoe,  and 
the  Englifli  colors  that  were  flying  at  the  item,  wou]«l 
prove  my  fccuvity.  After  rowing  about  half  a  mile 
further,  in  turning  a  point,  I  difcovered  a  great  num- 
ber of  tents,  and  more  than  a  thoufand  Indianp),  at  a 
little  diftance  from  the  (liore.  13eing  now  nearly  op- 
poiite  to  them,  I  ordered  my  men  to  pull  diredtly  o- 
ver,  as  I  was  willing  to  convince  the  Indians  by  luch 
a  llcp,  that  I  plained  fome  confidence  in  them. 

As  foon  IS  I  had  reached  the  land,  twoof  the  chiefs 
prefented  their  hands  to  me,  and  icd  me,  amidlt  the 
ftfloniflied  multitude,  wlio  hr.d  moll  of  them  never 
feen  a  white  man  before,  to  a  tent.  Into  this  we  en- 
tered,aMdaccording  lo  thecullom  that  univerfally  pre- 

Yails 


CARVER'S  TRAVI-XS. 


4> 


vails  among  every  Indian  nation,  began  to  fmokc  the 
pipe  of  peace.  We  had  not  fat  long  before  the  crowd 
became  fo  great,  both  around,  and  upon  the  tent,  that 
we  were  in  danger  of  being  cruflied  by  its  fall.  On 
this  we  returned  to  the  plain,  where,  having  gratified 
tlie  curiofity  of  the  common  people,  their  wonder  abat^ 
ed,  and  ever  after  they  treated  me  with  great  refpeft. 

From  the  chiefs  I  met  with  the  mod  friendly  and 
hofpitable  reception  ;  which  induced  me,  as  the  icafoii 
was  fo  far  advanced,  to, take  up  my  refidencc  amoncr 
them  during  the  winter.  To  render  my  Hay  as  com- 
fortable as  pofliblc,  I  firft  endeavoured  to  learn  their 
language.  This  I  foon  did,  fo  as  to  make  myfelf  per- 
fedlly  intelligible,  having  before  acquired  fbme  flight 
knowledge  of  the  language  of  thofe  Indians  that  live 
on  the  back  of  the  fettlements  •,  and  in  confequence 
met  with  every  accommodation  their  manner  of  living 
would  afford.  Nor  did  I  want  for  fuch  amufements 
as  tended  to  make  fo  long  a  period  pafs  cheerfully  away. 
I  frequently  hunted  with  them  j  apd  at  other  times 
beheld  with  pleafure  their  recreations  and  pallimes, 
which  I  fhall  defcribe  hereafter. 

Sometimes  I  fat  with  the  chiefs,  and  whilflwe  fmok- 
cd  the  friendly  pipe,  entertained  them,  in  return  for 
the  accounts  they  gave  me  of  their  wars  and  excur- 
fions,  with  a  narrative  of  my  own  adventures,  and  a. 
defcription  of  all  the  battles  fought  between  the  En- 
glifli  and  French  in  America,  in  many  of  ^vllich  I  had 
a  perfonal  fharc.  They  always  paid  great  aueniioni 
to  my  details,  and  alked  many  pertinent  queftions  re- 
lative to  the  European  methods  of  making  war. 

I  held  thefe  convcrfations  with  them  in  a  great 
meafure  to  procure  from  them  fome  information  re- 
lative to  the  chief  point  I  had  conllantly  in  view,  that 
of  gaining  a  knowledge  of  the  (ItRation  and  produce, 
both  of  their  OM^n  country,  and  thofe  that  lay  to  the 
weftward  of  them.  Nor  was  I  difappointcd  in  my 
dcligiis ;  for  I  procured  from  them  much  ufeful  in  ret 


w\ 


u^ 


I.  , '( 


6> 


E. 


ii^cncc. 


50 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


ifg 


,.«H 


J  ■> 


ligrnc".  They  Hkcvi  i.'i  drew  for  me  plans  of  all  the 
countries  with  which  they  were  acquainted  \  but  as  I 
cntert:uned  no  great  opinion  of  their  geographical 
knowledge,  I  placed  nor  much  dependence  on  them, 
and  therefore  think  ii  unnccefTary  to  give  them  to  the 
public.  They  draw  with  a  piece  of  burnt  coal,  taken 
from  the  hearth,  upon  the  infide  bark  of  the  birch 
tree  ;  which  is  as  fmooth  as  paper,  and  anfwers  the 
iame  pu  pofcs,  notwitliftanding  it  is  of  a  yellow  call. 
T'hcir  fketches  are  made  in  a  rude  manner,  but  they 
feem  to  give  us  as  juft;  an  idea  of  a  country,  although 
rhc  plan  is  not  fo  rxa£t,  as  more  experienced  draughtf- 
men  coul<l  do. 

1  left  the  habitations  of  thefe  hofpitable  Indians  the 
latter  end  of  April  1 767  ;  but  did  not  part  from  them 
for  feveral  d;;ys,  as  I  was  accompanied  on  my  journey 
by  near  three  hundred  of  them,  |jmong  whom  were 
many  chiefs,  to  the  mouth  of  the  River  St.  Pierre. 
At  this  feafon,  thefe  bands  annually  go  to  the  Great 
Cave,  before  mentioned,  to  hold  a  grand  council  with 
all  the  other  bands ;  wherein  they  fettle  their  opera- 
tions for  the  enfuing  year.  At  the  fame  time  they 
tarry  with  them  their  dead,  for  interment,  bound  up 
in  buffaloes'  (kins.  Befides  thofe  that  accompanied 
me,  others  were  gone  before,  and  the  reft  were  to 
follow. 

Never  did  I  travel  with  fo  cheerful  and  happy  a 
company.  But  their  mirth  met  with  a  fudden  and 
temporary  allay  from  a  violent  ftorni  that  ovcrtgok  us 
one  day  on  our  paflage.  We  had  juft  landed,  and 
were  preparing  to  fet  up  our  tents  for  the  night,  when 
a  heavy  cloud  ovcrfprcad  the  heavens,  and  the  moft 
dreadful  thunder,  lightning,  and  rain  illued  from  it, 
that  ever  I  beheld. 

The  Indians  wercgreatly  terrified,  and  ran  to  fucK 
flielter  as  they  could  find  ;  for  only  a  fev/  tents  were 
as  yet  ere<fted.  Apprehenfivt  of  the  danger  that 
might  cnfue  frcm  ftauding  near  uny  thing  which  could 

fervc 


't'   9 


CARVER'S  TRAVKLS. 


"s 

V 


fcrve  for  a  comluc^or,  as  the  cloud  appcnred  to  con- 
tain luch  an  uncommon  quantity  of  elechicai  fluid,  I 
took  my  fkand  as  fa^r  as  poliible  from  any  covering ; 
chufing  rather  to  be  expofed  to  the  pelting s  of  the 
ftorm,  than  to  receive  a  fatal  flioke.  At  this  the  In- 
dians were  greatly  furprifed,  and  drew  conclufions 
from  It  not  unfavourable  to.  the  opinion  they  already- 
entertained  of  my  refolution.  Yet  I  acknowledge  thut 
I  was  nevei  more  eifedtcd  in  .my  life  j  foi  nothing 
fcarcely  could  exceed  the  terrific  fcene.  The  peals  of 
thunder  were  fo  loud  thai  they  Ihook  the  earth  ;  and 
the  lightning  flalhed  along  the  ground  in  Itreams  of 
fulphurr  fo  that  the  Indian  chiefs  themfjlves,  althougii 
their  courage  in  war  is  ufually  invincible,  could  not 
help  trembling  at  the  horrid  combuftion.  As  foon  as 
the  ftorm  was  over,  they  Hocked  around  mc,  and  in- 
formed me,  that  \f^  was  a  proof  of  the  anger  of  the 
evil  rpirits,  whom  they  were  apprehcnfive  tliat  they 
had  highly  ofFended. 

When  we  arrived  at  the  Great  Cave,  and  tlie  In- 
dians had  depofited  the  remains  oi  tlieir  deccafed 
friends  in  the  burial-place  that  ftands  adjacent  to  it, 
they  held  their  great  council,  into  which  I  was  Ht^ 
mitted,  and  at  the  fame  time  had  the  honour  to  be 
inllalled  or  adopted  a  chief  of  their  bands.  On  this 
occafion  I  made  the  following  fpeech,  which  I  infert, 
to  give  my  readers  a  fpccimcn  of  the  language  and 
manner  in  which  it  is  neceflary  to  addrefs  the  Indians, 
fo  as  to  engage  their  attention,  and  to  render  the 
fpeaker's  exprelFion  confonant  to  their  ideas.  It  was 
delivered  on  the  iirft  day  of  May  1767- 

"My  brothers,  chiefs  of  tlie  numerous  and  pG^vcr- 
ful  Naudoweflies  !  I  rejoice  that  through  my  long 
abode  with  you,  I  can  now  fpcak  to  you  (though  after 
an  imperfedt  manner)  in  your  own  tongue,  like  one  of 
your  own  children.  I  rejoice  alfo  that  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  fo  frequently  to  inform  you  of  the  glory 
and  power  of  the  Great  King  that  reigns  over  the  Eu- 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


Km 


glifh  and  other  nations  ;  who  is  dcfccnilcd  from  a  very 
ancient  race  of  fovcrcigns,  as  old  as  the  earth  and  wa- 
ters; whole  feet  itand  on  two  great  illands,  larger  than 
any  you  have  ever  fccn,  amidlt  the  greatell  waters  in 
the  world  ;  whofc  head  reaches  to  the  fun,  and  whofc 
arms  encircle  the  whole  earth  :  the  number  of  whofe 
warriors  arc  ecj^ual  to  the  trees  in  the  vallics,  the  ftalks 
oi*  rice  in  yonder  marflies,  or  the  blades  of  grafs  on 
your  great  plains  :  who  has  hundreds  of  canoes  of  his 
own,  of  fuch  amazing  bigncfs,  that  all  tJie  waters  in 
your  country  would  not  i'uflicc  for  one  of  them  to 
fwim  in  ;  each  of  which  have  guns,  not  fmall  like 
mine,  which  you  fee  before  you,  but  of  fuch  magni- 
tude, that-  an  hundred  of  your  itoutelt  young  men 
would  with  dlilicuity  be  able  to  carry  one.  And  thcfc 
are  equally  furpriiing  in  their  operation  againft  the? 
great  king's  enemies  when  engaged  in  battle  ;  the  ter- 
ror they  carry  with  them,  your  language  wants  words 
to  exprcfs.  You  may  remember  the  other  day  when 
•we  were  encamping  at  Wadawpav/mencfotcr,  the 
black  clouds,  the  wind,  the  fire,  the  ftupendous  noife, 
the  horrible  cracks,  and  the  trembling  of  the  earth, 
which  then  alarmed  you,  and  gave  you  reafon  to  think 
your  gods  were  angiy  with  you  ;  not  unlike  thefe  arc 
the  warlike  implcmentti  of  the  Englifh,  when  they  arc 
fighting  the  battles  of  th;ir  great  king. 

"  Several  of  the  chiefs  of  your  bands  have  often 
told  me,  in  times  paft,  when  I  dwelt  with  you  in  your 
tents,  that  they  much  wifliied  to  be  counted  among  the 
cltiKlren  and  allies  of  the  great  king  my  mafter.  You 
rr.ay  remember  how  often  you  have  defircd  me,  whtin 
1  return  again  to  my  own  country,  to  acquaint  the 
great  king  of  your  good  dlfpofiiion  towards  him  and 
his  fiibjetts,  ar.d  that  you  wifhed  for  traders  from  the 
Englilli  to  come  among  you. 

"  Being  now  about  to  take  my  leave  of  you,  and  to 
return  to  my  own  country,  a  long  way  towards  the 
xifin;;  Cmi^  I  again  aik  you  to  tell  me  whether  you: 

continue 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


53 


tontiniie  of  the  fame  mind  as  when  I  fpokc  to  you  in 
council  laH:  winter ;  and  as  there  are  now  fcveral  oi* 
your  chiefs  here,  who  came  from  the  great  plains  to- 
wards the  fettinir  of  the  fun,  whom  I  have  never  fpokc 
with  in  council  before,  I  aflc  you  to  let  me  know  if  you 
are  all  willing  to  acknowledge  yourfelvcs  the  children 
of  my  great  mafter  the  King  of  the  Englifti  and  other 
nations,  as  I  ftiall  take  the  firft  opportunity  to  acquaint 
him  of  your  defires  and  good  intentions. 

«»I  charge  you  not  to  give  heed  to  bad  reports ,  for 
there  are  wicked  birds  flying  about  among  the  n»figh- 
bouring  nations,  who  may  whifpcr  evil  things  in  your 
earj  againd  the  Englllh,  contrary  to  what  I  have  told 
you  J  you  muft  not  believe  them,  for  1  have  told  you 
the  truth. 

"  And  as  for  the  chiefs  that  arc  about  to  no  to 
Michillimackinac,  I  iliall  take  care  to  make  for  thein 
and  their  fuite,  a  llraight  road,  fmooth  waters,  and  a 
clear  Iky  ;  that  they  may  go  there,  and  fmoke  the  pipe 
of  peace,  and  reft  fccure  on  a  beaver  blanket  under 
ihe  fliade  of  the  great  tree  of  peace.     Farewell !" 

To  this  fpecch  I  received  the  following  anfwcf^ 
from  the  mouth  of  the  principal  chief. 

"  Good  brother  !  \  am  now  about  to  fpeak  to  you 
with  the  mouths  of  thefe  my  brothers,  chiefs  of  the 
eight  bands  of  the  powerful  nation  of  the  Naudowef- 
fics.  We  believe  and  are  well  fatisfied  in  the  truth  of 
every  thing  you  have  told  us  about  your  great  nation, 
and  the  great,  king  ourgreateft  father  •,  for  whom  we 
fpread  this  beaver  blanket,  that  his  fatherly  protcclio.i 
may  ever  reft  eafy  and  fafe  amongft  us  his  children  : 
your  colors  and  your  arms  agree  with  die  accounts 
you  have  given  us  about  your  great  nation.  We  dc- 
fire  that  when  you  return,  you  will  acquaint  the  great 
king  how  much  the  Naudoweliies  wilh  to  be  counted 
among  his  good  children. 

"  You  may  believe  us  when  wc  tell  you  that  we  will 
not  open  our  ears  to  any  who  may  dure  to  fpeak  evil 

E  2  ^  of 


•  i 


WA 


■^Hi 


i  -1 

m 


54 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


I 


I/'' 


»*i 


of  our  ;grcat  fatlier  tlic  king  of  the  Engllfli  and  other 
nations. 

"We  thank  you  for  what  you  have  done  for  us  in  mak- 
ing peace  between  tlie  Naudowelhes  and  the  Chipc- 
ways,  and  hope  when  you  return  to  us  again,  mat  you 
will  complete  this  good  work  j  and  quite  difpelling  the 
clouds  that  intervene,  open  the  blue  iky  of  peace,  and 
caufe  the  bloody  hatchet  to  be  deep  buried  under  the 
roots  of  the  great  tree  of  peace.    . 

<»\V"e  with  you  to  remember  to  reprcfent  to  our 
great  father  how  mucJi  we  dcfire  that  traders  may  be 
lent  to  abiii«  among  us  with  fuch  things  as  we  need, 
that  the  hearts  of  our  young  men,  our  wives  and  chil- 
dren may  be  made  glad.  Ami  mny  peace  fubfill  be- 
tween us,  fo  long  as  the  fun,  the  moon,  the  earth,  and 
the  waters  ftiall  endure.     Farewell  !" 

I  thought  it  neccllary  to  caution  the  Indians  againft 
giving  heed  to  any  bad  reports  that  may  reach  them 
from  the  neighbouring  nations,  to  the  difadvantagc 
of  the  Englidi,  as  I  had  licard,  at  diflerent  places 
through  which  I  pafled,  that  emiflaries  were  Hill  etn- 
jdoyed  by  the  French  to  detach  thofe  who  were  friend- 
ly to  the  Englifh,  from  their  intereft.  And  I  faw, 
myfeU,  feveral  belts  of  Wampum  that  had  been  deli- 
vered for  this  purpofe  to  fomc  of  the  tribes  I  was 
;among.  On  tlie  delivery  of  each  of  thefe,  a  Talk  was 
held,  wherein  the  Indians  were  told  tliat  the  Englifli, 
who  were  but  a  petty  people,  had  flolen  that  country 
from  their  great  father  the  king  of  France,  whilfl  he 
was  afleep  ;  but  that  he  would  foon  awake,  and  take 
them  again  under  his  prote^Slion.  Thefe  I  found  were 
font  from  Canada,  by  perfons  who  appeared  to  be 
•well  afteikd  towards  the  government  under  which 
they  lived. 

Whilll  I  tarried  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  St  JPicrre, 
with  thefe  friendly  Indians,!  endeavoured  to  gain  in- 
telligence whether  any  goods  had  been  fent  towards 
liic  FiiUs  of  ijt.  Anthony  for  a\y  ufe,  agreeable  to  the 

promifc 


CARVER'S  travel;*. 


55 


promlfe  I  had  received  from  the  Governor,  when  I 
left  Michillimackinac.  But  finding  from  fome  In- 
dians, who  pafled  by  in  their  return  from  thofe  parts, 
tliat  diis  agreement  had  not  been  fulfilled,  I  was  oblig- 
ed to  give  up  all  thoughts  of  proceeding  further  to  the 
north- well  by  this  route,  at  jording  to  my  original 
plan.  I  therefore  returned  to  La  Prairie  le  Chien, 
wliere  I  procured  as  many  goods  from  the  traders  I 
left  there  the  proceeding  year,  as  thejClould  fpare. 

As  thefc,  however,  were  not  fufficient  to  enable  me 
to  renew  my  full  defign,  I  determined  to  endeavour 
to  make  my  way  acrofs  the  country  of  tlie  Chipeways 
to  Lake  SuiJcrior  •,  in  hopes  of  meeting  at  the  Grand 
Portage  on  the  north  fide  of  it,  the  traders  that  an- 
nually go  from  Michillimackinac  to  the  north-weft; 
of  whom  I  doubted  not  but  that  I  fliould  be  able  to 
procure  goods  enough  to  anfwer  my  purpofe,  and  alfo 
to  penetrate  through  thofe  more  northern  parts  to  the 
Straits  of  Annian. 

And  I  the  more  readily  returned  to  La  Prairie  Ic 
Chien,  as  I  could  by  that  means  the  better  fulHl  the 
engagement  I  had  made  to  the  party  of  Naudowefiies 
nientiontid  at  the  conclufion  of  my  fpecch. 

During  my  abode  with  this  people,  wifliing  to  fe- 
cure  them  entirely  in  the  intereil  of  theEnglifh,  I  had 
aiivifcu  fome  of  the  chiefs  to  go  to  Michillimackinac, 
where  they  would  have  an  opportunity  of  trading,  and 
of  hearing  the  accounts  that  I  had  entertained  them 
with  of  my  countrymen,  confirmed.  At  the  fame 
time  I  had  furnifticd  them  with  a  recommendation  to 
the  Governor,  and  given  them  every  dire£lion  necef- 


av 


•y  for  their  voyage. 

In  confequence  of  this,  one  of  the  principal  chiefs, 
and  twenty-five  of  an  inferior  rank,  agreed  to  go  the 
enfuing  fummer.  This  they  took  an  opportunity  of 
doing,  when  they  came  with  the  reft  of  their  band  to 
attend  tiic  grand  council  at  the  mouth  of  the  River 
ht,  Pierre.     Being  obliged,  on  account  of  the  dilap- 

fointment 


uw 


.     )¥i\ 


1  r-  Vs 


5^    .  CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 

pointmcnt  I  hadjufl  been  informed  of,  to  return  fo 
far  down  the  Mifllfippi,  I  could  from  thence  ths  more 
cafily  fet  them  on  their  journey. 

As  the  intermediate  parts  of  this  river  are  much  frc. 
quented  by  the  Chipeways,  with  whom  the  Naudow- 
cflies  arc  continually  at  war,  Ihey  thought  it  more 
prudent,  being  but  a  fmall  party,  to  take  the  advan- 
tage of  the  night,  than  to  travel  with  me  by  day  ;  ac- 
cordingly ncTiiPoner  was  the  grand  council  broke  up, 
than  I  took  a  friendly  leave  of  thefe  people,  from 
whom  I  had  received  innumerable  civilities,  and  pur- 
fued  once  more  my  voyage. 

I  reached  the  eafterri  fide  of  Lake  Pepin  the  fame 
night,  where  I  went  alhore  and  encamped  as  ufual. 
The  next  morning,  when  I  had  proceeded  fome  miles 
further,  I  perceive<l  at  a  diftance  before  me,  a  fmoke, 
which  denoted  that  fome  Indbns  were  near ;  and  in 
a  fliort  time  difcovered  ten  or  twelve  tents,  not  far 
from  the  bank  of  the  river.  As  I  was  apprehenfivc 
that  this  was  a  party  of  the  Rovers^  had  before  met 
with,  I  knew  not  what  courfe  to  purfue.  My  atten- 
dants purfuadedme  to  endeavoiTr  to  pafaby  them  on 
the  oppofite  fide  of  the  river  ;  but  as  I  had  hitherto 
found  that  the  beft  way  to  enfure  a  friendly  le^eption 
from  the  Indians,  is  to  meet  them  boldly,  and  without 
fhewing  any  tokens  of  fear,  I  would  by  no  means 
confent  to  their  propofal.  Inftead  of  this  I  crofTcd 
directly  over,  and  landed  in  the  mid  ft  of  them,  for  by 
this  time  the  greateft  part  of  them  were  ftanding  on 
the  ftiore. 

The  firft  I  accofted  were  Chipeways,  inhabiting 
near  the  Ottowaw  Lakes ;  who  received  me  with  great 
cordiality,  and  fliook  me  by  the  hand  in  token  of 
friendlhip.  At  fomcjittle  diftance  behind  thefe  ftood 
a  chief  remarkably  tall  and  well  made,  but  of  fo  ftern 
an  afpedl,  that  the  moft  undaunted  perfon  could  not 
behold  him  without  feeling  fome  degree  of  terror. 
tie  fcemed  to  have  pa^ed  the  meridian  of  life,  and 

by 


carver:s  travels. 


57 


by  the  mode  In  which  he  was  painted  and  tatowed,  I 
difcovered  that  he  was  of  high  rank.  However,  I  ap- 
proached him  in  a  courteous  manner,  and  expected 
to  have  met  with  the  fame  reception  I  had  done  from 
the  others  ;  but  to  my  great  furprife,  he  withheld  his 
hand,  and  looking  fiercely  at  me,  faid,  in  the  Chipe- 
way  tongue,  **  Ci'.win  nifliifhin  faganofti,"  that  is, 
*<The  Englifh  arc  no  good."  As  he  had  his  toma- 
hawk in  his  hand,  I  cxpe£led  that  this  laconic  fen- 
tence  would  have  been  followed  by  a  blow ;  to  pre- 
vent which,  I  drew  a  piftol  from  my  belt,  and,  hold- 
ing it  in  a  carelefs  pofition,  pafled  clofe  by  him,  to  let 
him  fee  1  was  nof  afFraid  of  him. 

I  learned  foon  after  from  the  other  Indians,  that 
this  was  a  chief,  called  by  the  French,  the  Grand  Sau- 
tor,  or  the  Great  Chipeway  Chief,  for  they  denomi- 
nate the  Chipeways,  Sautors.  They  like  wife  told 
me  that  he  had  been  always  a  fteady  friend  to  that 
people,  and  when  they  delivered  up  Michillimackinac 
to  the  Englifli  on  their  evacuation  of  Canada,  the 
Granfi  3?u'or  had  fworn  that  he  would  ever  remain 
thc'uv'iwed  enemy  of  its  new  pofleflbrs,  as  the  terri- 
tories on  which  the  fort  is  built  belonged  to  him. 

Finding  him  thus  difpofcd,  I  took  care  to  be  con- 
ftantly  upon  mv  ^jlFard  whilft  I  (laid  ;  but  that  he 
might  not  fuppofe  I  was  driven  away  by  his  frowns, 
I  took  up  my  abode  there  for  the  night.  I  pitched 
my  tent  at  fomc  diftance  from  the  Indians,  and  had 
no  fooner  laid  myfclf  down  to  reft,  than  I  was  awak- 
ed by  my  French  fervant.  Having  been  alarmed  by 
the  found  of  Indian  mufic,  he  had  run  to  the  outfide 
of  the  tent,  where  he  beheld  a  party  of  the  young 
favages  dancing  tow.irdu  us  in  an  extraor  linary  man- 
ner,each  carrying  in  liis  h.md  a  torch  fixed  on  the  top 
of  a  long  pole.  But  I  ihall  defer  any  further  account 
ofthisuncommonentertainment,  which  at  once  furprif- 
«d  and  alarmed  me>  till  I  treat  of  the  Indian  dances. 


•t 


m 


»; 


5^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


The  next  morning  I  continued  r«y  voyage,  and  be. 
fore  night  reached  La  Prairie  le  Chien  ;  at  which 
place  the  party  af  Naudoweffies  foon  overtook  mc. 
Not  long  after,  the  Grand  Sjiutor  alfo  arriv,cd,  and 
before  the  Naudowefiies  left  that  place  to  continue 
'their  journey  to  Michillimackinac,  he  found  means, 
inconjunftion  with  fome  French  traders  from  Louif. 
iana,  to  draw  from  me  about  ten  of  the  NaudoweiTic 
chiefs,  whom  hf*  prevailed  upon  to  go  to^var  J  thofc 
parts. 

The  remainder  proceeded,  according  to  my  dircc- 
tions,  to  the  Englilh  fort ;  from  whence  I  afterwards 
heard  that  they  returned  to  their  own  country  with- 
out  any  unfortunate  accident  befaUing  them,  and 
greatly  pleafcd  with  the  reception  they  had  met  with. 
Whiht  not  more  than  half- of  thofc  who  went  to  the 
fouthward,  through  the  difl'crence  of  that  foutliern 
climate  from  their  own,  i.ved  to  reach  their  abode. 
And  fince  I  came  to  England  1  have  been  informed, 
that  the  Grand  S;\utor  having  rendered  himfelf  more 
and  m':rc  dilj.niit;ii!  to  the  Engliib,  by  his  inveterate 
enmity  tov/nds  them,  was  at  length  (tabbed  in  his 
tent,  as  he  encamped  near  MichiiLmackinac,  by  a  tra- 
der, to  whom  I  had  related  the  foregoing  (lory. 

I  ihould  have  remarked,  thai# whatever  Indians 
happen  to  meet  at  lia  Prairie  le  Chien,  the  great  mart 
to  which  all  who  inhabit  the  adiacent  countries  re- 
fort,  though  the  nations  to  which  they  belong  arc  at 
war  with  each  other,  yet  they  ate  obliged  to  rcflrain 
their  enmity,  and  to  forbear  all  hoftile  a£h  during 
their  (lay  there.  This  regulation  has  been  long  cf- 
tabliflied  among  them  for  their  mutu?>\  convenience, 
as  without  it  no  trade  could  be  ca» » led  on.  The 
lame  rule  is  obfcrvcd  alfo  at  the  Red  Mountain  (after- 
wards defcribcd)  from  whence  ti.CT  get  the  itone  of 
which  they  make  their  pipes  j  thofc  being  indifpcnfa- 
ble  to  the  accommodation  of  eveiy  neighbouring 
tribe,  a  fimilar  reiUi^tion  becomes  needful,  and  is  of 
public  Utility.  The 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


59 


The  River  St.  Pierre,  which  runs  through  the  ter- 
ritories of  the  NaudoweiTies,  flows  through  a  nioft  de- 
lightful country,  abounding  with  all  the  neceflarles  of 
life,  that  grow  fpontancoufly  ;  and  wi^^  a  little  cul- 
tivation it  might  be  made  to  produce  even  the  luxu- 
ries of  life.  W  ild  rice  grows  here  in  great  abundance  ; 
and  every  part  is  filled  with  trees  bending  under  their 
Joails  of  fruits,  fuch  as  plums,  grapes,  ana  apples ;  the 
meadows  are"  covered  with  hops,  and  many  forts  of 
vegetables ;  whilft  the  ground  is  ftored  with  ufeful 
roots,  with  angelica,  fpikenard,  and  ground-nuts  as 
large  *i  hens'  eggs.  At  a  little  diftance  from  the 
fides  uf  the  riVer  are  eminences,  from  which  you  have 
views  that  cannot  be  exceeded  even  by  the  moft  beau- 
tiful of  thofe  I  have  already  defcribed;  amidil  Uiefe 
are  delightful  groves,  and  I'uch  amazing  quantities  of 
maples,  that  they  would  produce  fugar  fufficicnt  for 
any  number  of  inhabitants. 

A  little  way  from  the  mouth  of  this  river,  on  tlie 
north  fide  of  it,  flands  a  hill,  one  part  of  which,  that 
towards  the  Milhfippi,  is  compofed  entirely  of  white 
(tone,  of  the  fame  foft  nature  as  that  I  have  before  dc- 
cribcd  ;  for  fuch,  indeed,  is  all  the  Hone  in  this  coun- 
try. But  what  appears  remark;iblc,  is,  that  the  colour 
of  it  is  as  white  as  the  driven  fnow.  '1  he  outward 
part  of  it  was  crumbled  by  the  wind  and  weather  into 
heaps  of  fand,  of  which  a  beautiful  corapofition  mipht 
be  made  ;  or,  I  am  of  opinion  that,  when  properly 
treated,  the  flone  itfelf  would  grow  harder  by  time, 
and  have  a  very  noble  effedl  in  archite^ure. 

Nearthat  branch  which  is  termed  the  Marble  River, 
ifi  a  mountain,  from  whence  the  Indians  get  a  fort  of 
red  fl:onCj  out  of  which  they  hew  the  bowls  of  their 
pipes.  In  fome  of  thefe  parts  is  found  a  black,  hard 
clay,  or  rather  (lone,  of  which  the  Naudowclhcs  m.iKC 
their  family  utenfils.  This  country  likewife  abounds 
with  a  milkwhitc  clay,  of  which  China  ware  might 
be  made  equal  in  goodncfs  to  the  Afiatic  ;  an4  alio 

with 


'  Iff! 


iif., 


m 


:i 


\  n  11 


■  f 

■  ■ '  f , 


^:^'f 


6o 


CARVERS  TRAVELS. 


with  a  blue  clay  that  fervcs  the  Indians  for  paint,  Nvlth 
this  laft  they  contrive,  Ly  mixing  it  with  the  red  (lone 
powdered,  to  paint  themfelves  of  diflpcrent  colours. 
Thofe  that  can  get  the  blue  clay  here  mentioned,  paint 
themfelves  very  much  with  it  j  particularly  when  they 
are  about  to  begin  their  fports  and  paftimcs.  It  it 
alfo  cfteemed  by  them  a  mark  of  peace,  as  it  lias  a 
refemblance  of  a  blue  Iky,  which  with  them  is  a  fym- 
bol  of  it,  and  made  ufe  of  in  their  fpecches  as  a  figura- 
tive expreflion  to  denote  peace.  When  they  wifli  to 
jfhcw  that  their  inclinations  are  pacific  towards  other 
^tribes, they  greatly  ornament  both  tHemfelvcs  an^thcir 
belts  with  it. 

Having  concluded  my  bufinefs  at  La  Prairie  k 
Chien,  I  proceeded  once  more  up  the  Miflifippi,  as  far 
as  the  place  where  the  Chipeway  River  enters  it,  a 
little  below  Lake  Pepin.  Here,  having  engaged  an 
Indian  pilot,  I  dire£led  him  to  ftecr  towards  the  Otta- 
waw  Lakes,  which  lie  near  the  head  of  this  rrvcr. 
This  he  did,  and  I  arrived  at  them  tlie  beginning  of 
July. 

The  Chipeway  River,  at  its  junction  with  the  Mif- 
fifippi,  is  about  eighty  yards  wide,  but  is  much  wider 
as  you  advance  into  it.  Near  thirty  miles  up  it  ft  pa- 
rates  into  two  branches,  and  I  took  my  courfe  through 
that  which  lies  to  the  eaftward. 

The  country  adjoining  to  the  river,  for  about  fixty 
miles,  is  very  level,  and  on  its  banks  lie  fine  meadows, 
where  larger  droves  of  bufi'aloea  and  v^lks  were  feed- 
ing, than  I  had  obferved  in  any  other  part  of  my  tra- 
vels. The  track  between  the  two  branches  or  this 
river  is  termed,  the  Road  of  War  between  the  Chipe- 
way and  Naudoweflie  Indians. 

The  country  to  the  Falls  is  almoft  without  any 
timber,  and  above  that  very  uneven  and  rugged,  ani 
clofcly  wooded  with  pines,  beach,  maple,  and  birch. 
Here  a  moll  remarkable  and  aflonifliing  fight  prefent- 
<U  itfelf  to  my  view.    In  a  wood,  on  the  eail  of  the 

river, 


CARVKR's  TRAVELS. 


6i 


rvfi"?  which  was  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  ini 
length,  and  in  depth  further  than  my  eye  could  reach, 
I  obfcrvcd  that  every  tree,  many  of  v/h:^h  were  more 
than  fix  feet  in  circumference,  was  lying  fiat  on  t!ie 
ground,  torr  up  by  the  roots.  This  appeared  to  have 
been  done  by  fomc  extraordinary  hurricane,  that  came 
from  the  weft  fome  years  ago  ;  but  how  many  I  could 
not  iearn,  as  I  found  no  inhabitants  near  it,  of  whom 
I  could  gain  information.  The  country  on  the  well 
fide  of  the  river,  from  being  Icfs  woody,  had  efcaped 
in  a  great  meafure  this  havoc  as  only  a  few  trees  were 
blown  down. 

Near  the  heads  of  this  river,  is  a  town  of  the  Chi- 
peways  from  whence  it  takes  its  name.  It  is  fituat- 
edon  each  fide  of  the  river  (which  at  this  place  is  of 
lio  confulerable  breadth)  and  lies  adjacent  to  the  banks 
of  a  finall  lake.  This  town  contains  about  forty 
houfes,  and  can  fend  out  upwards  of  one  hundred 
warriors,  many  of  whom  were  fine,  ftout  young  men. 
The  houfes  of  it  are  built  after  the  Indian  manner, 
nnd  have  neat  plantations  behind  tlicm  ;  but  the  inha- 
bitants, in  general,  feemt  d  to  be  tlie  nallieft  people  I 
had  ever  been  among,  i  obferved  tliat  the  -womeii 
and  children  indulged  themfelves  in  a  cuftom,  which 
though  common,  in  fome  degree,  throughout  every 
Indian  nation,  appears  to  be,  according  to  our  ideas, 
of  the  moll  naui'eous  and  indelicate  nature;  that  of 
fearching  each  other's  head,  and  eating  the  prey  caught 
therein. 

In  July  I  l(  ft  thiKtown,  and  having  croflcd  a  num- 
ber of  fjiall  lakes  and  ca*iying  places  that  interven- 
ed, can  c  to  a  Jiead  branch  of  the  River  St.  Croix. 
This  branch  I  defcended  to  a  fork,  and  then  afcend- 
cd  another  to  its  fourtr.  On  both  thcfe  rubers  i  dif- 
covcrcil  fevrral  mines  of  virgin  top|tcr,  which  was  as 
pure  as  th.il  fourul  in  Any  olher  <  ountry. 

Here  I  came  to  a  fmall  ]iiiin]$,  wfiirh  my  givdf 
thought  mij^ht  be  joined  at  fujuc  dilUllU  by  ibciimi 

]f  lh.il 


^'h^ 


Jm  ti 


'{ , 


n  .  I 


i 


Cz 


CAK\'ER'b  TRAAKLS. 


»*( 


1 


■'''(ii 


tha*  wciil'^  at  Inngtli  render  it  ivavigsble.  Tlic  v/ntar 
.It  l>  i.  s  i'o  fcanty,  that  my  canoe  woiiul  by  no 
iTieajn  iwuw  iij  it ;  but  liaving  Hopped  up  fcvcral  olj 
bcavei  r-uwu.,  ^-bidi  had  been  broken  dovi^n  by  the 
hunters,  T  wau  *.  i  ablcd  to  proceed  for  fome  miles,  till 
by  the  conjundion  of  a  few  brooks,  thcfe  aids  became 
no  longer  nceeflary.  In  a  fhort  time  the  water  in- 
creafcd  to  a  molt  rapid  river,  which  m'C  defcendctl 
till  it  entered  into  Lake  Superior.  This  river  I  nam- 
ed after  a  gentleman  that  dcfired  lo  accompany  nic 
from  the  town  of  the  Qttagaumies  to  tlie  Carrying 
Place  on  Lake  Superior,  Coddard's  River. 

To  the  wefl  of  this  is  another  imall  river,  which 
filfo  empties  itfelf  into  the  Lake.  This  I  termed  Straw- 
berry River,  from  tlic  great  number  of  llrawberrics 
of  a  good  fizc  and  flavor  that  grew  on  its  banks. 

TIic  country  from  the  Ottowaw  Lakes  to  Lake  Su- 
perior, is  in  general  very  uneven  and  thickly  covered 
with  woods.  The  foil  in  fome  places  is  tolerably  good, 
in  others  but  indifferent.  In  the  heads  of  the  St. 
Croix  and  the  Chipeway  Rivers  are  exceeding  fine 
Ihirgcon.  All  the  wildernefs  between  the  MifTifippi 
and  Lake  Superior  is  called  by  the  Indians,  the  Moi- 
chettoe  Country,  and  I  thought  it  moll  juftly  named  j 
for,  it  being  then  their  feafon,  I  never  law  or  felt  fo 
many  of  thofe  infc6ls  in  my  life. 

The  latter  end  of  July  I  arrive*!,  after  having  coafl- 
fu  through  Well  Bay,  at  the  Grand  Portage,  which 
Jies  on  the  north-wed  borders  of  Lake  Superior. 
Here  thofe  who  go  on  the  north-weft  trade,  to  the 
Lakes  l)e  Pluye,  Dubois,  <f<c.  carryover  their  canoc^ 
and  baggage  about  nine  miles,  till  they  come  fo  a 
number  of  fmall  lakes,  the  waters  of  fonic  of  which 
(icfcend  into  Lake  Superior,  and  others  into  the  river 
lk)urbon.  Lake  Superior  from  Weil  Bay  to  this 
place  is  bounded  by  rocks,  except  towards  the  fouth- 
wcft  part  of  th.e  Bay  where  I  firfl  entered  it,  there 
it  was  tolerably  level. 

At 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS.  63 

At  tlic  Grand  Portage  is  a  fnull  b.iy,  before  the 
entrance  of  which  lies  an  illaiul  thut  intercept*  th-i 
dreary  and  uninterrirpttd  view  over  the  Luke,  which 
otherwil'e  wonld  have  preienttd  lUolf,  and  ni.ikes  tiie 
bay  Icrenc  and  picalant.  iiere  1  met  a  large  party  of 
the  Kihiltinoe  and  Afllnipoil  Indians,  with  their  ref-- 
pccbive  kings  and  their  lamilici.  'ihey  were  conic 
to  this  place  in  order  to  meet  ilu:  traders  from  hlich- 
illimackinac,  who  make  this  tliv-iv  road  to  the  iionh- 
wclt.  From  them  I  receivtid  the  ioilowing  aceout ' 
of  the  Lakes  thatlie  to  tlie  north-well  ofLake  Superior. 

Lake  Bourbon,  tlic  molt  northern  of  thox'e  '  •!: 
difcovered,  received  its  nan»e  innw  fome  Frencli  ii  .- 
ders  who  accompanied  a  party  of  Indians  to  iludfon's 
Bay  fonvc  years  ago  ;  and  was  thus  denominated  by 
tliem  in  honour  of  the  royal  family  of  France.  It  is 
compofed  of  the  v/aters  of  the  Bourbon  River,  which 
as  I  have  before  oblerved,  vifes  a  grea:  wny  to  the 
foutliward,  not  far  from  the  northern  heads  of  the 
MilFifippi. 

This  lake  is  about  eighty  miles  in  length,  norch  and 
fouth,  and  is  nearly  circular.  it  has  no  very  iar;^« 
iflands  on  it.  Tiie  land  on  the  cailern  lide  is  very  good  ■, 
and  to  the  fouth-wcll  there  au-.  lome  rr.ounta  rjs :  ia 
many  other  parts  there  arc  barren  pi.iins,  bo.^y,  i.nd 
moralTes.  Its  latitude  is  between  llliy-tv/o  ;;iui  riftv- 
four  degrees  nortli,  and  it  lies  nearly  icr.th-weit  from 
Hudfon's  Bay.  As  through  its  northern  htuation  the 
weather  there  is  extremely  cold,  only  a  lew  animals 
are  to  be  found  in  the  country  that  borders  on  ii. 
They  gave  me  but  an  indifferent  account  either  of 
the  bealh,  birds,  or  filhes.  There  are  indeed  fome 
buffaloes  of  a  fmall  fize,  which  are  fat  and  good  ibout 
the  latter  end  of  lumnKT,  with  a  few  mcofc  and  ear- 
riboo  deer :  however,  this  deheicncv  is  nia;lc  up  by 
the  furs  of  every  fort  that  are  to  be  met  wiili  in  great 
plenty  around  the  lake.  I  he  timber  growing  here  is 
chi«Hy  fir,  cedar,  fpruce,  and  fome  in.'.ple. 

L;d\c 


■.^■i 


#4  CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 

Lake  Winnepeek,  or  as  the  French  write  It,  Lac 
Ouiniplijue,  which  Hcs  neareft  to  the  foregoing,  j^ 
€ompofetl  of  tlie  fame  waters.  It  is  in  length  about  two 
hundred  miles  north  and  fouth  ;  its  breadth  has  ne- 
ver been  properly  afccrtained,  but  is  fuppofed  to  be 
ibout  one  hundred  miles  in  its  wide  ft  part.  This 
lake  is  very  full  of  iflands  ;  thcfe  are,  however  of  no 
great  magnitude.  Many  conliderable  rivers  empty 
r.hemf-lv'js  into  it,  which,  as  yet,  are  not  dilUnguiil^ 
cd  by  .iii/  names.  The  waters  are  ilored  with  fi(h, 
Juch  as  trout  and  flurgcon,  ami  alfo  with  others  of  a 
tmaller  kind  peculiar  to  thefe  lakes. 

The  land  on  the  fouth-weft  part  of  it  is  very  goovl, 
specially  about  the  entrance  of  a  large  branch  of  the 
River  liourbon,  which  flows  from  the  fouth-weft, 
On  this  river  there  is  a  fatlory  that  was  built  by  the 
iVcnch,  called  Fort  la  Reine,  to  v/hich  the  traders 
tVom  Michillimackinac  refort  to  trade  with  the  Aflini- 
pofls  and  Killiftinoes.  To  this  place  the  Mahahs, 
who  inhi^bit  a  country  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
fouth-well,  come  alfo  to  trade  with  them  ;  and  bring 
great  quantities  of  Indian  corn,  to  exchange  for  knives, 
tomahawks,  and  other  articles.  Thefe  people  arc 
fuppofed  to  dwell  on  fomc  of  the  branches  of  the 
River  of  the  Weft. 

Lake  Winnepeek  has  on  the  north-eaft  fome  moun- 
tains, and  on  the  caft  many  barren  plains.  The  ma- 
ple or  fugar  tree  grows  here  in  great  plenty,  and  there 
is  likewife  gathered  an  amazing  quantity  of  rice, 
whicl)  proves  that  grain  will  flouriili  in  thcfe  northern 
ciimatcs  as  well  as  in  warmer.  BulFalocs,  carriboo, 
?Mi\  moofe  deer,  arc  numerous  in  thefe  parts.  The 
biuValocs  of  this  country  differ  from  thofe  that  arc 
found  more  to  the  fouth  only  in  fize  ;  the  former 
being  much  fmallcr  ;  juft  as  the  black  cattle  of  the 
northern  parts  of  Great  Britain  diftcr  from  Englifh 
oxen. 

On 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


«J 


On  the  waters  that  fall  into  this  Lakr,  the  neigh- 
bouring nations  take  great  numbers  of  excellent  furs. 
Some  of  thcfe  they  carry  to  tlie  fa£lories  ami  fettlc- 
ments  belonging  to  the  Hudfon's  Bay  Company,  fitu- 
ated  above  the  entrance  of  the  Bourbon  River  ;  but 
this  they  do  with  relu£lance,  on  feveral  accounts  ;  for 
fome  of  the  AfTmipoils  and  Killiftiones,  who  ufually 
traded  with  the  Company's  fervants,  told  mc,  that  if 
thev  could  be  fure  of  a  confbant  fiipply  of  goods  from 
Michillimackinacjthey  would  not  tradeany  where  elfe 
They  fliewcd  mc  fome  cloth  and  other  articles  that 
they  had  purchafed  at  Hudfon's  Bay,  with  which  they 
were  much  difTatisficd,  thinking  they  had  been  great- 
ly impofed  upon  in  the  barter. 

Allowing  that  their  accounts  were  true,  I  could  not 
help  joining  in  their  opinion.  But  this  dil1atisfa(Slion 
mij^dit  probably  proceed,  in  a  gre»t  meafure,  from  the 
intrigues  of  the  Canadian  traders  :  forwhiKl  thel'Yencli 
were  in  poflefTion  of  Michillimacinae,  having  acquired 
a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  trade  of  the  north-wcfk 
countries,  they  were  employcti  on  that  account,  after 
the  reducVion  of  Canada,  by  the  Kni^lilh  traders  there, 
in  the  ellabliflmicnt  of  this  trade  with  which  they 
were  themfelves  quite  unaccjuaiiued.  One  of  the  me- 
thods thev  took  to  withdraw  thcfe  Indians  from  their 
attachment  to  the  Hudibn's  Bay  Company,  and  to  en- 
gage their  good  opinon  in  behalf  of  their  new  employ- 
ercj,  v/as  bv  depreciating  on  all  occafions  the  Compa- 
ny's goods,  and  magnifying  the  advantages  that  would 
arife  to  them  from  trafficing  entirely  with  the  Cana- 
dian traders.  In  tliis  they  too  well  fucceeded,  and 
from  this  doubtlefs,  did  the  difl'atisfadion  the  Aflini- 
poils  and  KilIi{linoes  cxprefled  to  me,  partly  proceed. 
But  another  rjafon  augmented  it ;  and  this  was 
the  length  of  their  journey  to  the  Hudfou's  Bay  fac- 
tories, which,  they  informed  me,  took  them  up  three 
months,  during  the  fummer  heats  to  go  and  return, 
and  from  the  Imailnefs  of  their  canoes  they  could  not 

F  i  carry 


■  -I 


i 


66 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


HI 


carry  more  than  a  thinl  of  the  beavers  they  killed, 
ho  that  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  thefe  Indians 
fliould  wilh  to  have  traders  come  to  refide  among 
them.  It  is  true  that  the  parts  they  inhabit  are  wiili- 
in  the  hmits  of  the  Hudfon's  Bay  territories  ;  but  the 
Company  mud  be  under  the  neccllity  of  winking  at 
an  eneroachment  of  this  kind,  as  the  Indians  would 
wltliout  doubt  protect  the  traders  when  among  them. 
Befides,  the  pafl'ports  granted  to  the  traders  that  go 
from  Miehiilimackiiiac  give  them  liberty  ro  trade  to 
the  north- we  11  about  L.ikc  Superior  •,  by  which  is 
meant  Fort  La  Reine,  Lake  Winncpeek,  or  any  oth- 
er parts  of  the  waters  of  the  Bourbon  River,  where 
the  Couriers  dc  Bois,  or  Traders,  Uiay  make  it  moll 
convenient  to  refulc. 

Lac  du  Bois,  as  commonly  termed  by  the  French 
in  their  maps,  or  in  Englifli  tlie  Lake  of  the  Wood,  h 
\Q  called  from  the  multiplicity  of  wood  growing  on 
its  banks  •,  fuch  as  oakes,  pines,  fn-s,  fpruce,  &c.  This 
Lake  lies  ftill  higher  upon  a  branch  of  tl)>^  River 
Bourbon,  and  nearly  eaft  from  the  fouth  end  of  Lake 
Winnepeek.  It  is  of  great  depth  in  fome  places.  Its 
length  from  eaft  to  weft  about  feventy  miles,  and  its 
greateft  breadth  about  forty  miles.  It  has  but  few 
illands,  and  thefe  of  no  great  magnitude.  The  fifties, 
fowls,  and  quadrupeds  that  are  found  near  it,  vary  but 
little  from  thofe  of  the  other  two  lakes.  A  few  of  tli  • 
Killiftione  Indians  fome  time  encamp  on  the  borders 
of  it  to  fiih  and  hunt. 

This  Lake  lies  in  the  communicatian  between  Lake 
Superior,  and  the  Lakes  Winnepeek  and  Bourbon, 
Its  waters  are  not  efteemed  quite  fo  pure  as  thofe  of 
the  other  lakes,  it  having,  in  many  places,  a  muddy 
bottom. 

Lac  La  Pluyc,  fo  caBed  by  the  French,  in  Englifti 
the  Rainy  Lake,  is  fuppofed  to  have  acquired  this 
name  from  the  fir.1  travellers,  that  pafted  over  it,  meet- 
ing with  an  uncommon  deal  of  rain  i  or^  as  fome 

have 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


67 


have  affirmed,  from  a  mid  like  raiti,  occafioned  by  a 
perpendicular  water-fall  that  empties  itfclf  into  a  riv* 
er  which  lies  to  the  fouth-wcll. 

This  Lake  apj>ear.s  to  be  divided  by  an  idhmufl, 
near  tlic  middle,  hito  two  parts :  the  well  part  is  called 
the  Great  Rainy  Lake,  the  call,  the  Little  Rainy  Lake, 
as  being  th''  leall  divifion.  It  lies  a  few  miles  fur- 
ther to  the  eaftward,  on  the  ("amc  brandiof  the  liour- 
bon,  than  the  lalt  mentioned  Lake.  It  is  in  general 
very  fliallow  in  its  depth.  The  broadcft  part  of  it  is 
not  more  than  twenty  miles;  its  length,  including 
both,  about  three  hundred  miles.  In  the  weft  parr, 
the  water  is  very  clear  and  j'ood ;  and  fomc  excellent 
iifli  are  taken  in  it.  A  great  many  fowls  refort  here 
hi  die  fall  of  the  year.  Moofe  deer  arc  to  be  found 
in  great  plenty,  and  likewife  the  earriboo  ;  whofe  (kin 
for  britches  or  gloves  exceeds  by  far  any  other  to  be 
met  with  in  North  America.  The  land  on  the  bor- 
ders of  this  Lake  is  efleemed,  in  fome  places,  very 
good,  but  rather  too  thickly  covered  with  wood. 
Here  refides  a  confiderable  band  of  the  Chipeways. 

Eaftward  from  this  Lake  lies  feveral  fmall  ones, 
which  extend  in  a  ftring  to  the  great  carrying  place, 
and  from  tL  nee  into  Lake  Superior.  Between  thefe 
little  Lakes  are  feveral  carrying  places,  which  render 
the  trade  to  the  north-weft  difficult  to  accomplilh, 
and  exceeding  tedious,  as  it  takes  two  years  to  make 
one  voyage  from  Michillimackinac  to  thefe  parts. 

Red  Lake  is  a  comparatively  fmall  lake,  at  the  head 
of  a  branch  of  the  Bourbon  River,  which  is  called  by 
fome  Red  River.  Its  form  is  nearly  round,  and  about 
iixty  miles  in  circumference.  On  one  fide  of  it  is  0 
tolerable  large  iiland,  clofe  by  which  a  fmall  river  en- 
ters. It  bears  almolt  fouth-caft  bothfrom  Lake  Win- 
nepeek  and  from  Lake  du  Bois.  The  parts  adjacent 
are  very  little  known  or  frequented,  even  by  die  fa- 
vaccs  themldvcs, 

-  N'jt 


t 


b 


M 


kLi 


m 


'T 


t 


I 

Ti.l. 


ca 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i  ' 


Not  far  from  this  L?ke,  a  little  to  the  fouth-weft,  ii 
another,  called  White  Bear  Lake,  which  is  nearly  a- 
bout  the  fizc  of  the  laft  mentioncdr  The  waters 
that  compofc  this  Lake  are  the  moft  northern  of  any 
that  fupply  the  Miflifippi,  and  may  be  called  with 
propriety  its  moft  remote  fcurce.  It  is  fed  by  two 
or  three  fmall  rivers,  or  rather  large  brooks. 

A  few  miles  from  it,  to  the  Ibuth-eaft,  are  a  great 
number  of  fmall  lakes,  none  of  which  are  more  than 
ten  miles  in  circumference,  that  are  called  the  Thou- 
fand  Lakes.  In  the  adjacent  country  is  reckoned  the 
fineft  hunting  for  furs  of  any  on  this  continent  ;  the 
Indians  who  hunt  here,  feldom  returning  without 
having  their  canoes  loaded  as  deep  as  they  can  fwim. 

Having  juft  before  obiervcd  tliat  this  Lake  is  the 
utmoft  northern  fourcc  of  the  Miflifippi,  I  fliall  here 
further  remark,  that  before  tlws  river  enters  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  it  has  not  run  Icis,  through  all  its  mcan- 
derings,  than  three  thoul'ands  miles  ,  or,  in  a  llraight 
line  from  north  to  fouth,  about  twenty  degrees,  which 
is  nearly  fourteen  hundred  Knglifli  miles. 

Thefe  Indians  informed  me,  that  to  the  north-wcfl; 
of  Lake  Winnepeek  lies  another,  whofc  circumference 
daftly  exceeded  any  they  had  given  me  an  account  of. 
They  defcribe  it  as  much  larger  than  Lake  Superior. 
But  as  it  appears  to  be  fo  far  to  the  north- weft,  I 
.(liould  imagine  that  it  was  not  a  lake,  but  rather  liic 
Archipelago,  or  broken  waters  that  form  the  commu- 
nication between  limlfon's  Bay  and  the  northern 
parts  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

There  are  an  infinite  number  of  fmall  lakes,  on  the 
more  weftern  parts  of  the  wcftern  head-branches  of 
the  MilRfippi  as  wcllas  between  thefe  and  Lake  "Win- 
nepeek, but  none  of  them  are  large  enough  to  fup- 
jjofc  either  of  them  to  be  the  lake  or  waters  meant 
by  the  Indians. 

They  likewile  informed  me,  that  fome  of  the  north- 
era  brunches  of  tlic  Mcflbrie  and  the  fouihcrn  branches 

of 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


«9 


of  the  St.  Pierre  have  a  communication  with  each 
other,  except  for  a  mile  ;  over  which  they  carry  their 
cuiiocs.  And  by  what  I  could  learn  from  them,  this 
is  the  road  they  take  when  there  war  parties  make 
rheir  excurfions  upon  the  Pawnees  and  Pawnawnees> 
nations  inhabiting  fomc  branches  of  the  Meflbrie  Ri- 
ver. In  the  Country  belonging  to  thefe  people  it  is 
i!ji(!,  that  Mandrakes  are  frequently  found,  a  fpccica 
ot'root  rcfembling  human  beings  of  both  fexcs ,  and 
\\nt  thefe  are  more  perfc6\than  luch  as  are  difcovcr- 
fil  about  the  Nile  in  Nether-Ethiopia. 

A  little  to  tlie  north-wefl  of  the  heads  of  the  Mef- 
furic  and  St.  I*ierre,  the  Indians  further  told  me,  that 
ti.cre  was  a  nation  rather  fmaller  and  whiter  thni  the 
neighbouring  tribes,  who  cultivate  their  grounu,  and 
(as  far  as  I  could  gather  from  their  expreflions)  in 
fume  meafure  tlie  arts.  To  this  account  ihey  added 
that  fome  of  the  nations  wlio  inhabit  thofe  parts  that 
lie  to  the  well  of  the  Shining  Mountains,  have  gold 
fo  plenty  among  them  that  they  make  their  moft  com- 
mon utcnfils  of  it.  Thefe  mountains  (which  I  (liall 
dcfcribc  more  particularly  hereafter)  divide  the  wa- 
ters tJiat  fall  into  the  Souti^  Sea  from  thofc  that  run 
into  the  Atlantic. 

The  people  dwelling  near  them  are  fuppofed  to  he 
fome  of  the  different  tribes  that  were  tributary  to  the 
Mexican  kings,  and  who  fled  from  their  native  coun- 
try, to  feck  an  afylnm  in  thefe  parts,  about  the  time 
of  the  conqucR  of  Mexico  by  tlic  Spaniards,  more 
than  two  centuries  ano. 

As  fome  confirmation  of  this  fuppofltion,  it  is  rc^ 
marked,  that  they  have  chofen  the  mofl  interior  parts 
for  their  retreat,  being  dill  prepofleflcd  with  a  notion 
ih.it  the  fva  coails  have  been  infeftedcver  fince  with 
monfters  vomiting  fire,  and  hurling  about  thunder 
and  lightning  *,  from  whofc  bowels  iflued  men,  who 
with  unfeen  inllruments,  or  by  the  power  of  magic,, 
killed  the  harmicfs  Indians  at  an  ail^aifliing  diftance-- 

From 


;  )M 


■.% 


mi^ 


1^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i  'V; 


From  fuch  as  thcfe,  their  forefathers  (according  to  a 
tradition  among  them  that  ftill  remains  unimpaired} 
jicd  to  the  retired  abodes  they  now  inhabit.  For  as 
they  found  that  the  floating  monllers,  which  hud  thus 
terriiied  them  could  not  approach  the  land,  and  that 
thofc  who  had  defcendcd  from  their  fides  did  not  care 
to  make  excurfiona  to  any  confiderabk  uiitance  from 
them,  they  formed  a  refoiution  to  betake  thcmfclvcs 
to  fome  country,  that  lay  from  the  fea-coallsj  where 
Only  they  could  be  fecure  from  fuch  di.^boiical  cue- 
mics.  'ihcy  accordingly  fet  out  with  their  families, 
and  after  along  peregrination,  fettled  ihemfclves near 
trhefe  mountains,  where  they  concluded  they  hud 
found  A  place  of  perfetSt  fecunty. 

The  VV^inebagocs,  dwelling  on  theFox  Riv'er  (whom 
I  have  already  treated  of)  are  likewifc  fuppofed  to  be 
fome  drolling  band  from  the  Mexican  countries.  But 
they  arc  able  to  give  only  an  imperfe(Sl  account  of 
their  original  refidenre.  They  fuy  they  formerly 
came  a  great  way  from  the  wcflward,  and  were  driven 
by  wars  to  take  refuge  among  the  Naudowcflies  j  but 
AS  they  are  entirely  ignorant  of  the  arts,  or  of  the  value 
of  gold,  it  is  i-ather  to  be  fiippofcd,  that  they  were  dri. 
ven  from  their  antient  fettlements  by  the  above  men- 
tioned emigrants,  as  they  paflcd  on  towards  their  pr€- 
lent  habitation. 

Thele  fuppofitions,  however,  may  want  confirm- 
ation ;  for  the  fmaller  tribes  of  Indians  are  fubjecSk  to 
fuch  various  alterations  in  their  places  of  abode,  from 
the  wars  they  are  continually  engaged  in,  that  it  is  al- 
moll  impolW»le  to  afcertain,  after  half  a  century,  the 
original  fituation  of  any  of  them. 

That  range  of  mountaini,,  of  which  the  Shining 
Mountains  are  a  part,  begins  at  Mexico,  and  continu- 
ing northward  on  the  back  or  to  the  eaft  of  Califor- 
nia, feparate  the  waters  of  thofe  numerous  rivers  that 
fall  cither  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  f^r  the  Gulf  of 
Califoruitt.     From  thence  cojitinuing  their  courfc  Hill 

northward, 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


7# 


north^^i'^rd,  between  the  Iburces  of  the  MifllfippI  aiul 
the  rivers  tJiat  run  into  the  South  Sea,  they  nppcar  to 
end  in  about  fortv-feven  or  forty-eight  degrees  of 
north  latitude  ;  where  a  number  of  rivers  arifc,  .>nvl 
empty  thenifelves  either  into  the  South  Sea,  intc 
Hudl'on's  Bay,  or  into  the  waters  that  communicate 
between  thefe  two  fea3. 

Among  tlicfe  mountains,  thole  that  lie  to  the  weft 
ot  the  River  St.  Pierre,  are  called  the  Shining  Moun» 
tains,  from  an  iufinatc  number  of  chryftal  ftones,  of 
an  amazing  fizc,  wit.i  which  they  are  covered,  and 
which,  when  the  fun  fliires  full  upon  them,  fparklq 
io  as  to  be  feen  at  a  very  great  diitance. 

Thi;  extraordinary  range  of  mountains  is  calculat- 
ed to  be  more  than  three  rfioufand  miles  in  length, 
without  any  very  confiderable  intervals,  which  I  be- 
lieve furpafl'es  any  thing  of  the  kind  in  the  other  quar- 
ters of  the  ii}ohc.  Probably  in  future  ages  they  may 
he  foujid  to  contain  more  riches  in  their  bowels,  than 
tliofe  of  Indoftan  and  Malabar,  or  that  arc  produced 
on  the  golden  coaft  of  Guinea  ;  nor  will  I  except  even 
the  Peruvian  mines.  To  the  weft  of  thefe  moun- 
tains, when  explored  by  future  Columbufes  or  Ra- 
Icighs,  may  be  found  other  lakes,  rivers,  and  coun- 
tries, full  fraught  with  all  tlie  neccflaries  or  luxuries 
of  life  ;  and  where  future  generations  may  fuid  an  afy* 
htm,  whether  driven  from  their  country  by  the  ra- 
vages of  lawlcfs  tyrants,  or  by  religious  perfecutions, 
or  relu<5lantly  leaving  it  to  remedy  the  inccnvt  niencics 
arifing  from  a  fuperabundant  increafe  of  inhabituntsj ; 
whether,  I  lay,  impelled  by  thelc?,  or  nllureil  b)  hopes 
of  commercial  advantages,  there  is  little  doubt  but 
there  cxp'jclations  will  be  fully  gralihed  in  thefe  rich 
and  untxhaufted  climes. 

But  to  return  to  the  /NfTinipoils  and  Killillinocs, 
whom  I  left  at  the  Grand  Portage,  and  from  whom 
I  received  the  foregoing  account  of  the  lakes  that  lie 
to  the  north-weft  of  this  place. 

The 


ii 


1  't 


'1-     iii 


m 


N 


fg  CARVER'S  TRAAT.I;S. 

The  traders  we  expec^cil  being  later  this  feafon 
tlian  ufual,  and  our  numbers  very  confulerahle,  for 
tliere  were  more  than  three  hundred  of  us,  the  Oock 
of  provifions  we  had  brought  with  us  was  nearly  n^ 
hauftcd,  and  we  waited  with  impatience  for  their  3^ 
lival. 

One  day,  wliilfl:  wc  were  all  expre(Ting  our  wifhes. 
lor  this  dcfirable  event,  and  looking  from  an  eminence 
in  hopes  of  feeing  them  come  over  the  lake,  Uic  chief 
priefl  belonging  to  the  band  of  Killiftinoes,  t  <  1  us, 
that  he  wonld  endeavour  to  obtain  a  confcienvc  vith 
the  Great  Spirit,  and  know  from  him  viien  rlit  tra- 
f'.crs  would  arrive.  I  paid  little  attention  i  >  this  tie- 
claration,  fuppofing  that  it  would  be  prn  i£\ive  of 
fomc  juggling  trick,  juft  fuflkientlv  co"  v*-  ;d  ,...  vleccivc 
the  ignorant  Indians,  liut  the  king  6."  thai  ^rioe  till- 
ing mc  that  th"  .' .s  chiefly  undertaken  by  .he  prieft, 
to  alleviate  my  ai>Aiet'. ,  ^nd  at  the  fame  time  to  con- 
vince me  hr^"«v  mricn  sntv^  <  \  he  had  with  ^he  Grc  t 
Spirit,  I  thought  it  :ic<  wiLry  to  reflrain  my  animad- 
verfions  on  his  defjgn. 

The  following  evening  was  fixed  upon  for  thi.c  fpl- 
ritual  conference.  When  every  thing  had  been  \nO' 
perly  prepared,  the  king  came  to  me  and  led  me  to  a 
capacious  tent,  the  covering  of  which  was  drawn  up, 
fo  as  to  render  what  wns  tranfading  within,  vifible 
to  thofe  who  flood  without.  AVe  foun«i  the  tent  fur- 
rounded  by  a  great  number  of  the  Indians,  but  wc 
readily  gained  admiihon,  and  feated  ourfclvcs  on  (kins 
laid  on  the  groujid  fi)r  that  purpofe. 

In  the  center  I  obferved  that  there  was  a  place  of  an 
oblong  fiiapc,  which  vvas  compofed  of  ifakcs  lluck  in 
the  j;round,  with  intervals  between,  fo  as  to  form  a 
kiiiil  o^  cheft  or  coihn,  lari^c  cncuyh  to  contain  the 
body  of  a  man.  Thclc  were  of  a  middle  fizc,  and 
placed  at  fuch  a  dillancc  front  each  other,  that  what- 
ever lay  within  them  was  readily  to  bc<lifccrned.  '1  he 
tci:t   was  pcrfecUy    illuminated  bv  a  great  number 

-    .  ■  vi 


CAUVF.R's  TRAVELS. 


7S 


•f  torches  made  of  fplintcrs  cut  fvom  the  piiic  or  birch 
uec,  which  the  Indians  held  in  their  liands. 

Jn  a  few  minutes  the  prieif^ entered  j  uhtii  an 
amazing  Ia|gp  elk's  fkin  being  fpricj^d  on  theground, 
juil  at  my  i«ct,  he  laid  himfelf  down  upon  it,  after 
having  ftript  himfelf  of  every  garment  except  th.u 
which  he  wore  clofe  about  his  middle.  Beinp,  now 
proftrate  on  his  back,  he  firil  laid  hold  of  one  llc'c  of 
the  ikin,  and  fohkd  it  over  him,  and  then  the  other  ; 
leaving  only  his  head  uncovered.  This  was  no  foon- 
cr  done,  than  two  of  the  young  men  who  flood  by, 
took  about  forty  yards  of  ftrong  cord,  made  alfo  of  an 
elk'i  hide,  and  rolled  it  tight  round  his  body,  fo  th.af 
lie  was  completely  fwathed  within  the  (kin.  Being 
thus  bound  up  like  an  Egyptian  Mummy,  ane  took 
him  by  the  heels,  and  the  other  by  the  head,  and  lift- 
ed him  over  ihc  pales  into  the  inclofurc.  I  could  al- 
fo now  tliftcrn  him  as  plain  as  I  lad  hitherto  donc> 
and  I  took  care  not  to  turn  my  eyes  a  moment  from 
the  object  before  me,  that  I  might  the  more  readily 
dei;e£lthe  artifice;  for  fuch  I  doubted  not  but  that  it 
would  turn  out  to  be. 

The  prieft  had  not  Iain  in  this  fituation  more  than 
a  few  feconds,  when  he  began  to  mutter.  This  he 
contiyMed  to  do  for  fom.e  time,  and  then  by  degrc^t 
grew  louder  and  louder,  till  at  length  he  fpoke  arti- 
culately ;  however,  what  he  utterred  was  in  fu'  h  a 
mixed  jargon  of  the  Chipeway,  Ottawaw,  ntul  K.dif- 
tinoe  languages,  that  I  could  undcrftand  but  very 
little  of  it.  Having  continued  in  this  tone  for  a  con- 
fidcrable  while,  he  at  laft  exerted  his  voice  to  its  ut- 
mofl:  pitck,  fometimes  raving,  autl  fometimes  pr^^yin?;, 
till  he  had  woiked  himfelf  iuto  fuch  an  aj-ilalion,  tint 
he  foamed  at  his  mouth. 

After  having  remained  near  three  jquartcri  of  :ir 
Jiour  in  the  pi. ice,  and  contiiiued  his  vocifcr.Mion  with 
UJiubated  vigor,  he  feemcJ  to  be  quite  cxh;;uilcd,  and 
rerxjiiincd  fpecchlefs.      r>ut  in  au  iiifiaut  he  fpiun^ 

G  upon 


^-  •  i' 


( I 


74 


CARVKR's  TRA^'ELS. 


^■1 

11: 


upon  his  feet,  notwithflanJing  at  the  time  he  was  put 
in,  it  appeared  impofnblc  for  hin\  to  move  cither  his 
legs  or  arms,  ami  fhakfng  off  liis  covering,  as  quick  as  if, 
the  bandiwith  which  it  had  been  bound  jvere  burned 
;\iundcr,  he  began  to  addrefs  thofe  who  ffood  around, 
ill  a  firm  and  audible  voice.  **  My  brothers,"  faid  he, 
"  the  Great  Spirit  has  deigned  to  hold  a  Talk  with 
his  icrvnnt,  at  my  earncll  rc(]ue[t.  He  has  not,  in- 
«lceJ,  told  me  when  the  perfojis  we  expe£l,  will  be 
)ierc ;  but  to-morrow,  foon  after  the  fun  has  reached 
his  higheft  point  in  the  heavens,  a  canoe  will  arrive, 
.md  the  people  in  that  will  inform  us  when  the  trar 
dcrs  will  come." 

Having  faid  this,  he  ft  ppcd  out  of  the  enclofinr, 
and  aftci  he  had  pat  on  his  robes,  difmifled  the  afl'em- 
bly.  I  owti  J  was  greatly  afloniihed  at  what  I  hnd 
icen ;  but  as  T  obfcrved  ihu  every  eye  in  the  com- 
pany was  iixcd  on  me  with  a  view  to  difcrver  my 
Icntliiicnts,  1  carefully  concealed  e^-ery  emotion. 

The  next  d'^y  the  luu  (lii^uc  bright,  and  long  before 
Roon  all  the  Indians  were  (fathered  together  on  the 
eminence  that  overlooked  the  lake.  The  old  kin j; 
came  to  me  and  afccd  me,  whether  I  had  fo  much 
CDnndencc  in  what  the  priell  hul  foretold,  as  to  join 
l\k  people  on  the  hill,  and  wait  for  the  complciion 
of  it ;  I  told  him  I  was  at  a  lof-s  what  opinion  to  form 
of  the  pvedidi  .n,  but  that  I  would  readily  attend  hini. 
On  this  wc  waHtcd  together  to  the  place  where  the 
others  were  allcmblcd.  Every  eye  v/as  again  fixed 
by  turns  on  me  and  on  the  lake;  whcujultas  the 
fun  had  reached  his  zenith,  agreeable  to  whnt  the 
priclt  h'fld  foretold,  a  canoe  came  around  a  point  of 
land  about  a  Ica^e  diftant.  The  Indians  no  fooiier 
beheld  it,  than  they  fet  up  an  uuiverfal  fliout,  htiH 
hy  their  looks  (eemcd  to  triumph  in  thcintcrcll:  their 
pried  tViw-,  cvidcnily  had  with  the  Great  Spirit. 

In  Icfi  than  nn  hour  the  rinoe  reached  the  (liorc, 
wlien  I  atttjnded  the  king  and  chiefs  to  receive  thof^r 

who 


CAkVER's  TRAVELS. 


IS 


^ho  were  on  board.  As  foon  as  the  men  were  lanc'- 
C(l,  we  Wiilkcd  all  togtdicr  to  the  king's  tent,  wIkjii, 
according  to  their  invariable  tlifloni,  wc  began  to 
fmoke  i  ami  this  we  did,  aotwiUiilanding  our  inip;\- 
tience  to  khow'the  tidings  they  brought,  without  alk- 
ing  any  qucftions }  for  the  Indians  are  the  moil  deli- 
berate people  in  the  world.  However,  after  fomc 
trivial  converfation,  the  king  enquired  of  thein,  whe- 
they  they  had  fcen  any  thing  of  the  traders  ?  Tlir 
men  replied,  that  they  had  parted  Ivoni  them  a  fe.v 
days  before,  and  that  they  propofed  being  here  the 
fccond  day  from  the  prefent.  They  accordingly  ar- 
rived at  that  time  greatly  to  our  fatisia(Stion,  but  more 
particularly  fo  to  that  of  the  Indians,  who  ft  .  !  by 
this  event  the  importance  both  of  their  pried  and  *  f 
their  nation,  greatly  augmented  ;n  the  fight  of  a 
ftranger. 

This  ftory  I  acknowledge  apperirs  to  carry  M-ith  -t 
marks  of  great  credulity  in  the  rclatcr.  I5ut  no  one 
is  Icfs  tinilured  with  that  weekncfs  than  niyfclu 
The  circumitanccs  of  it,  I  own,  are  of  a  very  extra- 
ordinary nature  y  however,  as  I  can  vouch  for  their 
being  f»ee  from  either  exaggeption  or  mifrcprefen lo- 
tion, being  myfylf  a  ccel  i-.nd  difj)all[:onat('  obfervcr  ot* 
them  all,  1  thought  it  neccilary  to  give  lh^;r.  to  ii:e 
public.  And  this  I  do  without  wilhing  to  millcud 
the  judgment  of  my  readers,  or  to  nuke  any  fupcv- 
ftitious  imprefTions  on  their  minds,  but  Laving  thcni 
to  draw  from  it  what  conc'.ufions  they  plcafe. 

I  have  aiready  obfervcd  that  the  Ainnipoils,  whh  a 
part  of  whom  I  met  here,  arc  a  revolted  bard  of  the 
NauiloweflJes  •,  who  on  account  of  tome  real  or  iniii- 
gined  grievances,  for  the  Indians  in  general  are  very 
tenacious  of  their  liberty,  had  lepaiated  themfelvci, 
from  their  countrymen,  and  iought'for  freedom  at 
the  expence  of  their  taf^.  For  tlie  country  tiiey  now 
inhabit  about  the  borders  of  Lake  "Winnepeek,  being 
muth  furtlier  north,  is  not  near  fo  fertile  or  agreeable 

iit 


-tf    '      t    A  '^'  -'  mm  I  "^ 


''■'f- 


?5-':|l.: 


7« 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


as  that  they  have  rclinquiflied.    They  ft  111  retain  thfc 
lancua^'c  ami  manners  of  their  former  aflbciates. 

'i  he  Killidinoes,  now  the  neighbours  and  allies  of 
tlic  AlUnipoils,  for  they  alfo  dwell  near  the  fame  lake, 
;<nd  c;  the  waters  of  the  River  Dourbon,  appear  to 
have  been  originally  a  tribe  of  the  Chipcvays,  as  they 
fpeak  their  language,  though  in  a  dillcrent  dialeft. 
1  heir  nation  confilU  of  about  three  or  four  hundred 
M'^rriors,  and  they  fecmto  be  a  hardy,  brave  people. 
1  haic  already  given  an  account  of  their  country  when 
f  treated  of  Lake  Winncpcck.  As  they  refuie  ^'ith- 
in  the  limits  of  Hudfon's  Bay,  they  generally  trade  at 
the  fa^^ories. which  belong;  to  that  company,  but,  for 
the  rcafoiis  mentioned  before,  they  frequently  come 
to  the  place  where  I  happened  to  join  them,  in  order 
to  meet  the  traders  from  Miehillimackinac. 

The  anxiety  I  had  felt  on  account  of  the  traders' 
Jelay,  was  not  much  alleviated  by  their  arrival.  I 
again  found  my  expc£lations  difappointed,  for  I  was 
not  able  to  procure  the  goods  I  wanted  from  any  of 
thctn.  I  was  therefore  obliged  to  give  over  my  de- 
ligns,  and  return  to  the  place  from  whence  I  firft  be- 
gan my  cxtenfive  circuit.  I  accordingly  took  leave 
c<f  the  old  king  of  the  Killiftinocs,  with  the  chiefs  of 
both  bands,  and  departed.  This  prince  was  upward! 
of  fixty  ye.irs  of  age,  tall  and  flightly  made,  but  he  car- 
ried himfelf  very  erc6l.  He  was  of  a  Cour' jous,  affa- 
ble difpofition,  and  treated  me,  as  did  all  the  chiefs, 
with  great  civility. 

I  obfcrved  that  this  people  ftill  continraed  a  cuflom, 
that-appeared  to  have  been  imiverfal  before  any  of 
them  bccr.nie  acquainted  with  the  mani^rs  of  the 
Europeans,  that  of  complimenting  llrangers  with  the 
company  of  tJ  '\t  wives;  and  this  is  not  only  pradlif- 
eil  by  the  lower  ranks,  but  by  the  chiefs  themfelves, 
who  efteem  it  i!ie  greateft  proof  of  courtcfy  they  can 
give  s  granger. 

Tlic 


CARVER'*  TRAVELS. 


77 


The  beginning  of  O£lobcr,  after  having  coafled 
round  rhe  north  and  ead  borders  of  Lake  Superior,  I 
Arrived  at  Cadot's  Fort,  which  adjoins  to  the  Falls  of 
St.  Marie)  and  is  fituatcd  near  the  fouth-wcft  corner 

of  it. 

Lake  Superior,  formerly  termed  the  Upper  Lake, 
from  its  northern  fituation,  is  fo  called  on  account  of 
its  being  fuperior  in  magnitude  to  any  of  the  L.ikes  on 
that  vail  continent*  It  might  jultly  be  termed  the 
Cafpian  of  America,  and  is  fuppofcd  to  be  the  largtil 
body  of  frcfh  wfiter  on  the  globe.  Its  circumference, 
according  to  the  French  charts,  is  about  fifteen  hun- 
dred miles  ;  but  I  believe,  that  if  it  was  coailcd  round, 
and  the  utmoft  extent  of  every  bay  taken,  it  would 
exceed  fixteen  hundred. 

After  I  firll  entered  it  from  Goddard's  River  on' 
the  weft  Bny,  I  coailcd  near  twelve  hundred  miles  of 
the  north  and  eaft  ihorcs  of  it,  and  obferved  that  the 
greateft  part  of  that  extenfivc  tra£l  was  bounded  by 
rocks  and  uneven  ground.  The  water  in  general  iip- 
peared  to  lie  on  a  bed  of  rocks.  When  it  was  calm, 
and  the  fun  ihone  bright,  I  could  fit  in  my  canoe, 
where  the  depth  was  'umvarc^  of  fix  fathom*,  and 
plainly  fee  huge  piles  of  (lone  at  the  bottom,  of  difl'er- 
cni  Ihapcs,  fome  of  which  appeared  as  if  they  were 
hewn.  The  waliT  at  this  time  was  as  pure  antl  tranf- 
parcnt  as  air  \  and  my  canoe  fcemed  as  if  it  hung  fuf- 
pended  in  that  element.  It  was  impodlblc  to  look  at- 
tentively through  this  limpid  medium  at  the  rocks 
below,  without  iindinjj,  beiore  many  minutes  were 
elai)fed,  your  head  fwim,  and  your  eyes*  no  longer  able 
to  behold  the  dazzling  fcene, 

I  difcovtred  alfo  by  accident  another  cxtranrtliiiary 
proreny  in  the  waters  of  this  lake,  'i  hough  it  was 
in  the  month  of  July  that  I  paflcd  over  it,  and  the  fur- 
face  of  the  water,  from  the  heat  of  the  fuperambicnt 
air,  impregnated  vviih  no  fmall  degree  of  warmth, 
yet  on  letting  down  a  cup  to  the  depth  of  about  a  fa- 

G  I  thon^, 


-1  (i 


'•  ' 


">ii 


79 


CARVER'*  TRAVELS. 


■  I-      <  i'  i     ; 


i 

i. 


thorn,  ilic  water  drawn  from  thence  \ras  fo  excefTivcly 
coLd,  that  it  had  the  fame  efU:^  when  received  into 
the  mouth  as  ice.  j^ 

The  fituation  of  this  Jbkc  is  varioufly  laid  down) 
but  from  the  mod  exa£r  cbfervations  I  could  make, 
it  lies  between  forty-fix  and  fifty  degrees  of  north  U, 
titude,  and  between  eighty-four  and  ninety-three  de- 
grees of  well  longitude,  from  the  meridian  of  Lontlon. 

There  arc  many  iflands  in  this  lake,  two  of  which 
arc  very  iargc  •,  and  if  the  land  of  them  is  proper  for 
cultivation,  there  appears  to  be  fufficient  to  form  on 
each  a  confidcrablc  province  •,  efpecially  on  Ifle  Royal, 
which  cannot  be  lefs  than  jui  hundred  miles  long,  and 
in  many  places  forty  broad.  But  there  is  no  way  at 
prcfent  of  afccrtnining  the  cxaft  length  r  •  breadth 
of  either.  Even  the  French,  who  always  kept  a  fmall 
fcliooncr  on  this  hike,  whilfl  they  were  in  pofl'cfiion 
of  Canada,  by  which  they  could  have  made  this  dif- 
covery,  have  only  acquired  a  ilight  knowledge  of  the 
external  parts  of  thefe  illands ',  at  lead  they  n&re  never 
pubhlhed  any  account  of  the  internal  parts  of  them, 
ilijit  I  could  get  intelligence  of. 

Nor  was  I  able  to  difcover  from  any  of  the  con- 
Terfations  which  I  held  with  the  neighbouring  hi- 
dians,  that  they  had  ever  made  any  fettlements  on 
them,  or  even  landed  there  in  their  hunting  cxcur- 
fions.  From  what  I  could  gather  by  their  dilcourfe, 
they  fuppofe  them  to  have  been,  from  their  firft  for- 
mation, the  refidcnce  of  the  Great  Spirit )  and  relate 
many  ridiculous  (lories  of  enchantment  and  magical 
tricks  that  had  been  experienced  by  fuch  as  were 
obliged  through  ftrcfs  of  weather  to  take  ihelter  on 
them. 

One  of  the  Chipcvvay  chiefs  told  me,  that  fomc  of 
their  people  being  once  driven  on  the  ifland  of  Maurc* 
pas,  which  lies  towards  the  north-eall  part  of  the  lake, 
found  on  it  large  quantities  of  a  heavy,  Ihining,  yellow 
fand,  that  from  their  dcfcripticm  mult  liave  been  gold 

duit 


CARVER'S  TRAVE:.S. 


7> 


dull.  Being  (Iruck  with  the  beautiful  appearance  of 
it,  in  the  morning,  when  they  re-entered  their  canoe, 
they  altcmptcil  to  bring  fomc  away  ;  but  a  fpirit  of  an 
amazing  ftze,  according  to  their  account,  fixty  feet  in 
height,  ftrode  in  the  water  after  them,  and  command- 
ed them  to  dehver  back  what  they  had  taken  nwny. 
TerriHed  at  his  gigantic  ilature,  and  feeing  tliat  he  had 
nearly  overtaken  them,  they  were  glad  to  rellorc  their 
(hiding  treafure  •,  on  which  they  were  fuft'cred  to  de- 
part without  further  moleflation.  Since  this  inci- 
dent, no  Indian  that  has  ever  heard  of  it,  will  venture 
near  the  fame  haunted  coalt.  Beildes  this,  they  re- 
counted to  me  many  other  (lories  of  thefe  iilands> 
equally  fabulous. 

The  country  on  the  north  and  caft  parts  of  Lake 
Superior  is  very  mountainous  and  barren.  The  wea- 
ther being  intenfely  cold  in  the  winter,  and  the  fun 
having  but  little  power  in  the  fummer,  vegetation  there 
is  very  flow  ;  and  confequently  but  httlc  fruit  is  to  be 
found  OT  Its  fliore.  It  however  pro<luces  fome  few  fpe- 
cics  in  great  abundance.  Whortleberries  of  «n  uncom- 
mon fize  and  fine  flavor,  grow  on  the  mountains  near 
the  lake  in  amazing  quantities}  as  do  black  currants 
and  gooiberries  in  the  fame  luxuriant  manner. 

But  the  fruit  which  exceeds  all  the  others,  is  a  ber^. 
ry  rcfembling  a  ralberry  in  its  manner  of  growth,  but 
of  a  hghter  red,  and  much  larger  *,  its  taite  is  far  more 
delicious  than  the  fruit  I  have  compared  it  to,  not- 
withlUnding  that  it  is  To -highly  efleemed  in  Europe  : 
it  grows  on  a  fhrub  of  the  nature  of  a  vine,  with  leaves 
iimilar  to  thofe  of  the  graj>e  }  and  I  am  perfuaded 
that  was  it  tranfplanted  into  a  warmer  and  more  kind- 
ly climatCi  it  would  prove  a  moil  rare  and  delicious 
fruit. 

Two  very  large  riverg  empty  themfelvcs  into  this 
lake,  on  the  north  and  north-eall  fide  ;  one  is  called 
the  Nlpcgofi  River,  or,  as  the  French  pronounce  it, 
AlUnipegon,  whigh  leads  to  a  band  of  the  Chipeways, 

inliabiting 


'■  .Hi 


H  T^f  - 1  *■. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V 


m. 


<^ 


z. 


1.0 


w 


150     ^^^        M^Hi 

1-1  1^    1 2.2 
10    12.0 


1.8 


L25  IllU   ii^ 


Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER, NY.  MS80 

(716)  872-4503 


'/. 


s 


.*'0 


y 


^ 
> 


CARVER'S  TRaVeLS, 


1 


■^ 


.1  irn^  ^ 


inhabiting  a  lake  of  the  fame  name>^dnd  the  other  ii 
termed  the  Michipicooton  River,  the  fource  of  which. 
19  fitiiated  towards  James's  Bay,  from  whence  thei#, 
is  but  a  fliort  carriagft-ite^nother  river,^hich  empti« 
itfelf  into  that  bay,  at  ^ort  belonging  to  the  compa- 
ny. It  -:»ras  by, (this  ^affage  that  a  party  of  French 
from  MichiHimatkinac,  invaded  the  iettlemcnts  of 
that  fociety  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Aniifc  Having 
taken  anddeftroyed  their  forts,  they  brought  the  can* 
non  which  theif' found  iti  them  tg  the  fortrefs  from 
whence  they  had  ifTued  ;  thefe  were  fmall  brafs  pie- 
ces, and  remain  there  to  the  prefent  tirae  5  having, 
through  the  ufual  re#)3titions  of  fortune,  returned  to 
the  poffeffion  of  their  former  mafters* 

fNot  far  from  the  Nipegqn  is  a  fmall  river,  that  juft 
b^ore  it  enters  the  lake,  has  a  perpendicular  fall  from 
the  top  of  a  mountain,  of  more  than  fix  hundred  feet. 
Being  very  riarh)w,  it  appears  at  a  diilance  like  a 
white  garter  fufgpnded  in  the  air;  ,.    4 

A  few  Indians  inhabit  round  the  eaftern  borders  of 
thislake,'fuppofed  to  be  the  rema'ns  ofthc  Algon- 
kins,  who  formely  poffefled  this  country,  but  who 
have  been  nearly  extripated  by  the  Iroquois  of  Cana- 
da. Lake  Superior  has  near  forty  rivers  thai  fall  in- 
to it,  fome  of  which  are  6f  confideralsle  fize.  On 
the  ibuth  fide  of  it  is  a  jlemarkable  point  or  (^aj^j^  of 
about  fixty  miles  in  length  j'cailled  Point  Ghegomegan. 
It  might  as  properly  be  termed  a  peninfula,as  it  is  near- 
ly feparated  from  the  continent,  on  the  eaft  fide,  by,a  nar- 
row bay  that  extends  from  eaft  to  weft.  Canoes  have 
but  a  fhort  portage  acrofs  the  ifthmus,  whereas  if  they 
coaftit  round,  the  voyage  is  more  than  an  hundred  miles. 
About  that  diftance  to  the  vjfeft  of  the  cape  iuft  de- 
fcribed,  a  confiderable river  falls  into  the  lake,  the  head 
of  which  'A  compofed  of  a  great  afTemblage  of  fmall 
ftreams.  This  river  is  remarkable  for  the  abundance 
of  virgin  copper  that  is  found  on  and  near  its  banks. 
A  metal  which  19  met  with  alfo  in  feveral  other  places 

on 


#.■ 


CARVeI^'s  tRAVELS. 


9r 


OH  this  coaft.  I'*obfervcd  that  many  of  the  fmall  ifl- 
ands,  particularly  thofe  on  the  e^ftern  fhores,  were  co- 
t^red  with  copper  ore.  They  appeared  like  beds  of 
copperas,  of^  which  many  to»$  lay  in  a  fmall  fpace. 

A  company  of  adVenttircs  f)»m  England  began, 
foon  after  the  conqueft  of  Canada,  touring  away  fomc 
of  this  n^tdj»  but  the  diftradled  fitiiation  of  affairs 
in  AmericJimlj  obliged  them  torelinquifh  their  fcheme. 
It  might  in  fiatuTe  times  be  made  a  very  advantageous 
trade,  as  the  metal,4|which  cofts  nothing  on  the  fpot, 
and  requires  but  little  expence  to  get  it  on  board, 
could  be  conveyed  in  boats  or  canoes  through  the 'Fallg 
of  St.  Marie,  to  the  Ifle  of  St^^fcph,  Which  lies  at 
the  bQttom  of  the  iStcaitrnear  ihe  entrance  into  Lake 
Huron ;  from  thence  it  might  be  put  on  board  larger 
veflels,  and  in  them  tranfpotted  acrofs  that  laketothp 
Falls  of  Niagara  $  there  being  carried  by  land  acrofs 
tiie  Portage,  it  might  be  conveyed  without  much  more 
obftrudtion  to  Quebec.  The  cheapnefs  and  eafe  with 
which  any»  quantity  of*  it  may  be  procured,  will  make 
up  for  the  length  of  way  that  is  neceflary  to  tranfport 
it  before  it  reaches  the  fea  coaft,  and  enable  the  pro- 
prietors to  fend  it  to  foreign  markets  on  as.  good  terms 
as  it  cant|»fl*«NExportcd  from  other  countries. 

Lake  Superior  abounds  with  a  variety  of  fifh,  the 
princip^  and  belt  are  the  trout  and  iturgeon,  which 
may  be  caught  at  almoft  any  fcafon  in  the  greateft  a- 
bundance.  The  troUts  in  general  weigh  about  twelve 
polmds,  butfome  are  caught 'that  exceed  fifty.  Be- 
fidesthefe,a  fpecies  of  white  filh  is  taken  in  great  quan- 
tities here,  that  referable  a  fliad  in  their  fhape,  but  they 
are  rather  thicker,  and  Icfs  bony  ;  they  weigh  about 
four  pound  8  each,  and  are  of  a  delicious  tafte.  The  beft 
way  of  catching  thefe  fifh  is  with  a  net  *,  but  the  trout 
might  be  taken  at  all  times  with  the  hook.  There 
are  likewife  many  forts  of  fmaller  fifti  in  great  plenty 
here,  and  which  may  be  taken  with  eafe  }  among  "hefc 
i»  »  ibrt  refcmbling  a  herring,  that  are  generally  made 
h  «fc 


■  ■■.>'■<■ . 


ii'i'y'y,:' 


i'i >, ' 


•»f,. 


i'?^ 


'^M 


.  U 


t9 


CARVER'S  tRAVELS. 


«f€  oF  38  a  bait  for  the  trout.  Very  fmall  crabsj  not 
larger  than  half  a  crown  piece,  are  found  both  in  thii 
and  Lake  Michigan.  ^ 

This  Lake  is  a$  m»^  affe^bed  by  ftorms  as  the  A(V 
lantic  Ocean  ;  the  ,>\av«s  run  as  high,  and  are  equal- 
ly as  42'ngerous  to  fliips.  It  difcharges  its  waters 
from  the  fouiJi^laft  corner,  through  theStr.aits  of  St. 
Marie.  At  the  uppe»  end  of  thefe  .,^p^ts  ilands  a 
fort  that  receives  its  naipe  from  theHi,^inmaiidedl^ 
Monf.  Gadot,  a  Frenc4i  Cana4ia%  who  being  propri- 
etor of  the  foil,  is  ftill  permitted  to  keep  pofl'el^on  of 
k.  Near  this  fort  is  a  very  (Irong^  rapid,  againjft  which 
./^ough  it  is  impoffibje^r  canoes  to  afeend,  yet  when 
ccmdu£):ed  by  carefuL^ilots,  they  might  pafs  down 
withoulj^dangcr,  ^  . 

^  Though  Lake  Superior,  i^3  have  before  obferved, 
is  fupplied  by  near  forty  rivers,  many  of  which  are 
coflS^erable  ones ;  yet  it  does  not^ppear  that  one 
tenth  part  of  the  waters  which  are  conveyed  into  it 
by  thefe  rivers,  are  carried  off  at|his  evacuation.  How 
fuch  a  fuperabundance  of  wateti  ean  be  difpofed  of^  ' 
as  it  mnd  certainly  be  by  fome  means  or  other,  with- 
out whic\,the  circumference  of  the  lake  would  be 
cbhtinuatl^cnlargiBg,  I  knosr  jiot  :  that  it  does  not 
empty  itfelf,  as  the  Mediterranean  fea,  js  fugpofed  to 
do,  by  an  under  currciit,  w)iich  perpctuaUylc,Ounter- 
.a£ts  that  ne^r  the/urfaec^i  isjiertain  ;  for  the  Aream 
wh  ich  falls  over  the  rock  is  not  more  than  five  or  fix 
feet  in  depth,  alid  the  whole  of  it  pafles  on  through 
the  Straits  inta  the  adjacent  lake  ;  nor -is  it  probable 
that  fo  great  »  quantity  can  be  abforbed  by  exhala- 
tions ;  confequently  they  mull  find  a  paifage,  through 
fome  fubterranean  cavities,  deep,  unfathomable,  and 
never  to  be  explored^ 

The  Falls  of  St.  Marie,  do  not  defcend  perpendi- 
cularly as  thofe  of  Niagara  or  St.  Anthony  do,  but 
confilt  of  a  rapid  which  continues  near  three  quar- 
ters of  a  mile,  over  which  canoes  well  piloted  might 
pafs.  4;  At 


GARVER's  TRAVELS.  $$ 

At  tlie  bottom  of  thefe  Falls,  Nature  has  formed  a 
moft  commodious  ftation  for  catching  the  fifh  which 
are  to  be  found  there  in  inimenfe  quantities.  Perfons 
(landing  on  the  rocks  that  liejii|[jacent  to  it,  may  take 
with  dipping  nets,  about  the  months  of  September 
and  October,  the  white  fifh  Wore  mentioned  -,  at 
that  feafon,  togethfT  with  federal  otK'eififpecies,  they 
crowd  up  tli^is  fpot  in  fuch  -  amazing  flioals,  that 
e^iough  may  hfe  taketi  to  fupply,  when  properly  cured, 
thoufands  of  inhahitanls  throd|hout  the  year. 

The  Straits  €»f  St.  Marie  are  about  forty  miles  long, 
bearing  fouth-eaft-,  but  varying  mUch  in  their  breadth. 
The  current  between  the  F^s  and  Lake  Huron  is  » 
not  fo  rapid  as  might  be«x|ij^ed,  nor  do  they  pre- 
vent the  navigation  of  ihip«i)f  burden  as  farmap  as  the 
Ifland  of  St.  Jofeph. 

It  has  been  obferved  by  travellers  that  the  entrance 
Into  Lake  Superior,  from  thefe  Straits,  aiFord^r  ^onc 
of  the  1^3^  pleafiug  profpefts  in  the  world.  The 
place  in  wllfch  this  inight  be  viewed  to  thegreatefi: 
advantage,  is  juft  af  the  opening  of  the  lake,  from 
whence  may  be  feen  on  the  left,  many  beautiful  little 
iflands  that  extend  a  confiderable  way  before  you ; 
?.nd  on  the  right, an  agreeable  fuccefllonof  fmall  points 
of  lan(||^  that  proje<n:  a  little  way  into  the  water,  and 
ContriOTte,  with  the  iflands,  to^  rentier  this  delightful  - 
bafon  (as  it  might  be  termed)  calm  and  fecure  from 
the  ravages  of  thoTestempeftuous  «#ids  by  which  the 
adjoining  lake  is  frequently  trof^bleclfc.. 

Lake  Huron,  into  which  ycm  how  enter  from  the 
Straits  of  St*  Marie,  is  the  next  in  magnitude  to  Lake 
Superior.  It  lies  between  ff)ry-two  and  forty-fix  de- 
grees of  nonjih  latitude,  and  fevcnty-nine  and  eighty- 
five  degrees  of  weit  longitude.  Its  Ihapc  is  nearly 
triangular,  and  its  circumference  about  one  thoufand 
miles.  .#. 

On  the  north  fide  of  it  lies  an  ifland  that  is  remark- 
able for  being  near  an  hundred  miles  in  length,  and 
♦  no 


\X^:- 


mi  U 


»-  ' 


#4 


CARVER'S  TRAVEL?. 


no  more  thaa  eight  miles  broad.  This  ifland  is  knovrn 
hy  the  name  of  Maiiataulin,  which  fignifies  a  Place  of 
Spirits,  and  is  confidered  by  the  Indians  as  facred  as 
thofe  already  mentioned  in  Lake  Superior. 

About  the  mrddleof  the  fouth-weft  fide  of  this  lake, 
js  Sagartaum  Bay.  T|»c  capes  that  fcparate  this  bay 
from  the  lak^,  are  eighteen  mifes  diflant  from  each 
other ;  hear  the  middle  of  the  intermediate  fpace  ftand 
two  iflands,  which  greatly  tend  to  fatiJUtate  the  paf- 
fage  of  canoes  and  friall  veH^ls,  by  afiS>rding  them 
ftielter,  as  without  this  fecurity  it  would  not  be  pru- 
dent to  venture  acfofs  fo  wide  a  fea  j  and  the  coafting  . 
-  round  the  bay  would  r?fake  the  voyagjtrfcng  and  tedi- 
ous. This  bay  is  abojU^l^hty  miles  in  length,  and 
in  general  about  eighteen  or  twenty  miles  broad. 

Nearly  half  way  between  Saganaum  Bity^and  the 
siorth-weft  corner  of  the  Lake,  lies  another,  which 
is  t^ed  Thunder  Bay.  The  Indians,  who  have 
frequented  thefd  parte  from  time  immemO}!4al,  and 
every  European  traveller  that  h|i>paircdf  through  it, 
have  unanimouily  agreed  to  cau^t  by  this  name,  on 
account  of  the  continual  thunder  they  have  always 
obferved  hf;re.  The  bay  is  about  nine  miles  broad, 
and  the  faiiie  in  length,  and  whilft  I  was  pafling  over 
it,  which  took  me  up  near  twenty-four  hours,  it  thun- 
dered and  lightened  during  tlie  greateft  pis^^f  the 
ttime  to  an  exceiTivc  degree.'  <fw 

There  appearail  to  be  rid  vifit^fe  reafon  for  this,  that 
I  could  difcovqp,  norris  th6  country  in  general  fubjedl 
.'to  thund-^r  ;  the  hills  that  flood  around  were  not  of  a 
remarkable  height,  neither  did  the  external  parts  of 
them  feem  to  be  covered  with  any  fulphufous  fub- 
ilance.  Bivt  as  this  phgenonienon  muft  originate  from 
fome natural  caufe,  I  conjecture  that  the  Ihoresof  the 
bay,  or  the  adjacent  mountains,  are  either  impregnat- 
ed with  jp  uncommon  quantity  of  fulphurous  matter, 
or  contAin  fome  metal  or  minerel  apt  to  attract  in  a 
great  degree,  the  *;lec\ricai  particles  that  are  hourly 

borne 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


borne  over  them  by  the  paflant  clouds.  But  the  folu- 
tion  of  this,  and  thofe  other  philofophical  remarks 
which  cafually  occur  throughout  thefe  pages,  I  leave 
to  the  difcuflion  of  abler  heads. 

The  fifti  in  Lake  Huron  are  much  the  fame  as  thofe 
in  Lake  Superior.,  Some  of  the  land  on  its  banks  is  very 
fertile,  and  proper  for  cultivation,  but  in  other  parts 
it  is  fandy  and  barren.  The  promontory  that  fcpa- 
rates  this  lake  from  Lake  Michigan,  is  compofed  of 
a  vaft  plain,  upwards  of  one  hundred  miles  long,  but 
varying  in  its  breadth,  being  from  ten  to  fifteen  miles 
broad.  TTiis  tra£t,  as  I  have  before  obferved,  is  di- 
vided into  almoft  an  equal  portion  betvireen  the  Otta- 
waw  and  Chipeway  Indians,  At  the  north-eaft  cor- 
ner this  lak'i  has  a  communication  with  Lake  Michi- 
gan, by  the  Straits  of  Michillimackinac  already  de- 
fcribed. 

I  had  like  to  have  omitted  a  very  extraordinary  cir- 
cumftancc,  relative  to  thefe  Straits.  According  to 
obfervation,  made  by  the  French,  whilft  they  were 
in  pofleffion  of  the  fort ,  although  there  is  no  diurnal 
flood  or  ebb  to  be  perceived  in  thefe  waters,  yet,  from 
an  exadl  attention  to  their  ftatc,  a  periodical  alteration 
in  them  has  been  difcovered.  It  was  obferved  that 
they  arofe  by  gradual,  but  almoft  imperceptible  de- 
grees till  they  had  reached  the  height  of  about  three 
feet.  This  was  accomplifhed  in  feven  years  and  a 
half ;  and  in  the  fame  fpace  they  as  gently  decreafed, 
till  they  had  reached  their  former  fituation  ;  fo  that 
in  fifteen  years  they  had  completed  this  inexplicable 
revolution. 

At  the  time  I  was  there,  the  truth  of  thefe  obferva- 
tions  could  not  be  confirmed  by  the  Englifli,  as  they 
had  then  been  only  a  few  ye,ars  in  pofieflion  of  the 
fort ;  but  they  all  agreed  that  fonie  alteration  in  the  li- 
mits of  the  Straits  was  apparent.     All  thdhllakes  arc 


fo  affeiSted  by  the  winds,  as  fometimes  to  hH|the  ap- 

H  pearance 


:if? 


« 


:l 


'ii  r 


i$ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


pearancc  of  a  tide,  according  as  they  happen  tQ  blow 
but  this  is  only  temporary  and  partial. 

A  great  number  of  the  Chipeway  Indians  live  fcat- 
tered  around  this  lake,  particularly  near  Saganaum 
Bay.  On  its  banks  are  found  an  amazing  quantity 
of  the  fand  cherri*  8,  and  in  the  adjacent  country  neav- 
ly  the  fame  fruit,  as  thofe  that  grow  about  the  other 
lakes. 

From  the  Falls  of  St.  Marie  I  leifurely  proceeded 
back  to  Michillimackinae,  and  arrived  there  the  begin- 
ning of  November  1 767,  having  been  fourteen  months 
on  this  extenfive  tour,  travelled  near  four  thoufand 
miles,  and  vifited  twelve  nations  of  Indians  lying  to 
the  weft  and  north  of  this  place.  The  winter  fetting 
in  foon  after  fhy  arrival,  I  was  obliged  to  tarry  there 
till  June  following,  the  navigation  over  Lake  Huron 
for  large  veflels  not  beinc  open,  on  account  of  the  ice, 
till  that  time.  Meeting  nere  with  fociable  company, 
I  pafled  thefe  months  very  agreeably,  and  without 
finding  the  hours  tedious. 

One  of  my  chief  amufemcnts  was  that  of  fifhing  for 
trouts.  Though  the  Straits  were  covered  with  ice, 
we  found  means  to  make  holes  through  it,  and  let- 
ting down  ftrOng  lines  of  fifteen  yards  in  length,  to 
which  were  fixed  three  or  four  hooks  baited  with  the 
fmall  filh  before  defcribed,  we  frequently  caught  two 
at  a  time  of  forty  pounds  weight  each ;  but  the  com- 
mon fize  is  from  ten  to  twenty  pounds.  Thefe  arc 
moll  delicious  food.  The  method  of  preierving  theni 
during  the  three  months  the  winter  generally  lafts, 
is  by  hanging  them  up  m  the  air ,  and  in  one  night 
they  will  be  frozen  fo  hard  that  they  will  keep  as 
well  as  if  they  were  cured  with  fait. 

I  have  only  pointed  out  in  the  plan  of  my  travels 
the  circuit  I  made  from  my  leaving  Michillimackinae 
till  I  ar^^pd  again  at  that  fort.  Thofe  countries  that 
lie  nea»S  to  the  colonies  have  been  fo  often  and  (o 
minutely  defcribed,  that  any  further  account  of  them 

'  would 


GAItVER'i  TRAVELS, 


87 


would  be  ufelefs.  I  fliall  therefore  only  give  my  rea- 
ders in  the  remainder  of  my  journal,  as  I  at  firft  pro- 
pofed,  a  del'cription  of  the  other  great  lakes  of  Canada, 
many  of  which  I  have  navigated  over,  and  relate  at 
the  lame  time  a  few  particular  incidents  that  I  truit 
will  not  be  found  inapplicable  or  unentertaining. 

In  June  1 768  I  left  Michillimackinac,  and  return- 
ed in  the  Gladwyn  Schooner,  a  veiTel  of  about  eighty 
tons  burthen,  over  Lake  Huron  to  Lake  St.  Claire, 
where  we  left  the  ihip,  and  proceeded  in  boats  to  De- 
troit. This  lake  is  about  ninety  miles  in  circumfer- 
ence, and  by  the  way  of  Huron  River,  which  runs 
from  the  fouth  corner  of  Lake  Huron,  receives  the 
waters  of  the  three  great  lakes,  Superior,  Michigan, 
and  Huron.  Its  form  is  rather  round,  and  in  fome 
places  it  is  deep  enough  for  the  navigation  of  large 
veflels^  but  towards  the  middle  of  it  there  is  a  bar 
of  fand,  which  prevents  thofe  that  are  loaded  from 
paffiilg  over  it.  Such  as  are  in  ballaft  only  may  find 
water  to  carry  them  quite  through  ;  the  cargoes, 
however,  of  fuch  as  are  freighted  muft  be  taken  out, 
and  after  being  tranfported  acrofs  the  bar  in  boats, 
re-lhipped  again. 

The  river  that  runs  from  Lake  St.  Claire  to  Lake 
Erie  (or  rather  the  Strait,  for  thus  it  might  be  termed 
from  its  name)  is  called  Detroit,  which  is  in  French, 
the  Strait.  It  runs  nearly  fouth,  has  a  gentle  current, 
and  depth  of  water  fufficient  for  fhips  of  confidcrabit: 
burthen.  The  town  of  Detroit  is-iituatcd  on  the- 
weftern  banks  of  this  river,  about  nine  miles  below 
Lake  St.  Claire. 

Almoft  oppofite  on  the  eaftern  fhore,  is  the  village 
of  the  ancient  Hurons  :  a  tribe  of  Indians  which  have 
been  treated  of  by  fo  many  writers,  that  adhering  to 
the  reilri£lions  I  have  laid  myfclf  under  of  only  de- 
fcribing  places  and  people  little  known,  or,  incidents 
that  have  palled  unnoticed  by  others,  I  (liall  emit 
giving  a  dcfcription  of  them.  A  miHionai  y  of  the  or- 
der 


^1^ ) .; 


0[    v>l 


*-i' 


n 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


dcr  of  Carthufian  Friars,  by  permiffion  of  the  blfiiop 
©f  Cmacla,  refides  among  them. 

The  banks  of  the  River  Detroit,  both  above  and 
below  thefe  towns,  arc  covered  with  fettlements  that 
extend  more  than  twenty  miles  ;  the  country  being 
exceedingly  fruitful,  and  proper  for  the  cultivation  of 
wheat,  Indian  corn,  oats,  and  peas.  It  has  alio  ma- 
ny fpots  of  fine  pafturage  ;  but  jis  the  Inhabitants,  who 
are  chiefly  French  that  fubmitted  to  the  Engllfn  gov- 
ernment, after  the  conqueft  of  thefe  parts  by  General 
Amhcril,  are  more  attentive  to  the  Indian  trade  than 
to  fiirming,  it  is  but  badly  cultivated. 

The  town  of  Detroit  contains  upwards  of  one  hun- 
tlred  houfes.  The  ftreets  are  fomcwhat  regular,  and 
'have  a  range  of  very  convenient  and  handfome  bar- 
racks, with  a  fpacious  parade  at  the  fouth  end.  On 
the  weft  fide  lies  the  king's  garden,  belonging  to  the 
governor,  which  is  very  well  laid  out,  and  kept  in 
good  order.  The  fortifications  of  the  town  confid 
of  a  ftrong  Itockade,  made  of  round  piles,  fixed  firm- 
ly in  the  ground,  and  lined  with  palifades.  Thefe 
are  defended  by  fome  fmall  baftions,  on  which  arc 
mounted  a  few  indifferent  cannon  of  an  inconfiderablc 
fize,  juft  fufficient  for  its  defence  againft  the  Indians, 
or  an  enemy  not  provided  with  artillery. 

The  garrifon  in  time  of  peace,  confids  of  two  hun- 
dred men,  commanded  by  a  field  officer,  who  a£ls  as 
chief  magiftrate  under  the  governor  of  Canada.  Mr. 
TurnbuU,  captain  of  the  6oth  regiment,  or  Royal  A- 
mericans,  was  commandant  when  I  happened  to  be 
there.  This  gentleman  was  defervedly  efteemed  and 
refpedted,  both  by  the  inhabitants  and  traders,  for 
the  propriety  of  his  conduft  ;  and  I  am  happy  to  have 
an  opportunity  of  thus  publicly  making  my  acknowl- 
edgments to  him  for  the  civilities  I  received  from  him 
during  my  ftay. 

In  the  year  1762,  in  the  month  of  July,  it  rained 
©n  this  towa  and  the  parts  adjacent,  a  fulphureous  v/a- 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


«9 


tcr  of  the  color  and  confiftcnce  of  ink:  fome  of  which 
being  colle6led  into  bottles,  and  wrote  with,  appear- 
ed perfectly  intcih'gible  on  the  paper  and  anfwered 
every  purpofe  of  that  ufeful  liquid.  Soon  after,  the 
Indian  wart  already  fpoken  of,  broke  out  in  thefe  parts. 
I  mean  not  to  fay  that  this  incident  was  ominuiis  of 
them,  notwithftanding  it  is  well  known  that  innume- 
rable well  attefted  inllances  of  extraordinary  phceno- 
mena  happening  before  extraordinary^  events,  have 
been  recorded  in  almoft  every  age  bs^  hif^orians  of  ve- 
racity ;  I  only  relate  the  circumflance  as  a  fait,  of 
which  I  was  inforrhed  by  many  perfons  of  undoubted 
probity,  and  leave  my  readers,  as  I  have  heitherto 
done,  to  draw  their  own  conclufions  from  it. 

Pontiac,  under  whom  the  party  that  furprifed  Fort 
Michillimackinac,  as  related  in  the  former  partof  this 
v/ork,  adted,  was  an  enterprifing  chief  or  head-war- 
rior of  the  Miames.  During  the  late  war  between 
theEnglilh  and  the  Fi—ich,  he  had  beenaftcady  friend 
to  the  latter,  and  continued  his  inveteracy  to  the  for- 
mer, even  after  peace  had  been  concluded  between 
thefe  two  nations.  Unwilling  to  put  an  end  to  the  de- 
predation^  he  had  been  fo  long  engaged  in,  he  collect- 
ed an  army  of  confederate  Indians,  confiding  of  the 
nations  before  enumerated,  with  an  intention  to  re- 
new the  war.  However,  inftead  of  openly  attacking 
the  Englifh  fettlements,  he  laid  a  fcheme  for  taking 
by  furprife  thofe  forts  on  the  extremities  which  they 
had  lately  gained  pofleffion  (>f. 

How  well  the  party  he  detached  to  take  Fort  Mi- 
chillimackinac fucceeded,  the  reader  already  knows. 
To  get  into  his  hands  Detroit,  a  place  of  greater  con- 
fequence,  and  much  better  guarded,  required  greater 
refolution,  and  more  confummate  art.  He  of  courfe 
took  the  management  of  this  expedition  on  himfelf, 
and  drew^near  it  with  the  principal  body  of  his  troops. 
He  was  however,  prevented  from  carrying  his  ddign 
into  execution,  by  an  apparently  trivial  and  unforefcen 

H  2  circumll^Kc. 


w 


^o 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


I 


clvcumflancc.     On  Tuch  does  the  fate  of  mighty  Em- 
pires frequently  depend  ! 

The  town  of  Detroit,  when  Pontiac  formed  lug 
plan,  was  garrifoned  by  about  three  hundred  men 
commanded  by  Major  Gladwyn,  a  gallant  ofBccr.  As 
at  that  time  every  appearance  of  war  was  at  an  end, 
and  the  Indians  feemed  to  be  on  a  friendly  footing, 
Pontiac  approached  the  Fort,  without  exciting  any 
fufpicions  in  the  breaftof  the  governor  or  the  inhabi- 
tants. He  encamped  at  a  little  diftance  from  it,  and 
fent  to  let  the  commandant  know  that  he  was  come  ta 
trade  j  and  being  defirous  of  brightening  the  chain 
of  peace  between  the  Englifli  and  his  nation,  dedred 
that  he  and  his  chiefs  might  be  admitted  to  hold  a 
council  whh  him^  The  governor  ftill  unfufpicious, 
and  not  in  the  leafl:  doubting  the  fincerity  of  the  In- 
dians, granted  their  general's  requeft,  and  fixed  oa' 
the  next  morning  for  their  reception. 

The  evening  of  that  day,  an  Indian  woman  who 
Iiad  been  em'ployed  by  Major  Gladwyn,  to  make  him 
a  pair  of  Indian  (hoes,  out  of  curious  ellc-lkin,  brought 
them  home.  The  Major  was  fo  pleafed  with  them, 
that  intending  thefe  as  a  prefcnt  for  a  friend,  he  or- 
dered her  to  take  the  remaiivder  back,  and  make  it  in- 
to others  for  himfelf.  He  then  directed  his  fervant 
to  pay  her  for  thofe  fhe  had  done,  and  difmifled  her. 
The  woman  went  to  the  door  that  led  to  the  ftreet  but 
no  further ;  (he  there  loitered  about  as  if  flie  had  not 
fmifhed  the  buiinefs  on  which  flie  came.  A  fervant 
at  length  obferved  her,  and  afked  her  why  fhe  ftaid 
there  ;  fhe  gave  him,  however,  no  anfwer. 

Some  fkort  time  after,  the  governor  himfelf  faw* 
her  ;  and  enquired  of  his  fervant  what  occafioned  her 
flay.  Not  being  able  to  get  a  fatisfadory  anfwer,  he 
ordered  the  woman  to  be  called  in.  When  fhe  came 
into  his  prefence  he  defired  to  know  what  was  the 
reafon  of  her  loitering  about,  and  not  haftening  home 
before  the  gates  were  Ihut,  that  fhe  might  complete 

in 


CARVER'j  TRAVELS. 


9» 


ill  due  time  the  work  he  had  given  her  to  do.     She 
toM  him,  after  much  hefitatioti,  that  as  he  had  always 
behaved  with  great  goodncfs  towards  her,  ihc  was  un- 
willing to  take  away  the  remainder  of  the  fkin,  bc- 
caufeneput  fo  great  a  value  upon   it  *,  and  ytt    had 
not  been  able  to  prevail  upon  hcrfelf  to  tell   him    fo* 
lie  then  afked  her,  why  flie  wa§  more    rcluiSlant  to 
do  fo  now,  then  flie  liad  been    when  Ihc    made    the 
former  pair.     With  iacreafed  reluclancc  flic  anfwcr- 
cd,  that  fhe  never  fliould  be  able  to  bring  them  back. 
His  curiofity  being  now  excited,  ht  infilled  on  her 
difclofing  to  him  the  fecret  that  feemed  to  be   llrug- 
gling  in  her  rofom  for  utterance.     At  kft,  on  recei- 
ving a  promife  that  the  intelligence  fhe  was  about  to 
give  him  fliould  not  tarn  to  her  prejudice,  and   that 
if  it  appeared  to  be  beneficial,  flie  Ihould  be  rewarded 
for  it,  (he  informed  l:im,that  at  the  council  to  be  held 
with  the  Indians  the  following  day,  Pontiac   and  his 
chiefs  intended  to  murder  him  j  and,   after  having, 
maflacred  the  garrifon  and    inhabitants,  to  plunder 
the  town.    That  for  this  purpofe  all  the  chiefs  who- 
were  to  be  admitted  into  the  council-room,  had    cut 
their.guns  fliort,  (o  that  they  could  conceal  them  un-* 
der  their  blankets  ;  with  which,  at  a    fignaf  given  b/ 
their  general,  on  delivering  the  belt,  th  ^y  were  all  to 
rife  up,  and  inflanly  to  fire  on  him  and  his  attendants. 
Having  effe^led  this,  they  were  immediately  to  rulh 
into  the  town,  where  they  would  find  themfelves  fup- 
ported  by  a  great  number  of  their  warriors,  that  were 
to  come  into  it  during  the  fitting  of  the  council,  un- 
der pretence   of  trading,    but    privately  armed  in 
the  fame  manner.     Having  gained  from  the  woman 
every  neceffary  particular  relative  to  the  plot,  and  alfo 
of  the  means  by  which  fhe  acquired  a  knowledge  of 
them,  he  difmifTed  her  with  injundtions  of  fecrecy, 
and  a  promife  of  fulfilling  on  his  part  with  punctuali- 
ty, the  engagements  he  had  entered  into. 

\       The 


%  4  pi 

I " .  • '    y  I'll ,. 


:!''!h.l, 


^^Uit'' 


.1   ' 


Si« 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


m 


U^i- 


,  ,,,  ,    -  «,-rf 


I 


1 


im 


The  intelligence  the  governor  had  juft  received, 
gavv^  him  great  unealinefs  ;  and  he  immediately  con- 
fulted  the  officer  who  was  next  to  him  in  command^ 
on  the  fubjedl.  But  that  gentleman  confidering  the 
information  as  a  ftory  invented  for  feme  artful  pur- 
pofcs,  advifed  him  to  pay  no  attention  to  it,.  This 
conclufion,  however,  had  happily  no  weight  with  him. 
He  thought  it  prudent  to  conclude  it  to  be  true,  till 
he  was  convinced  that  it  was  not  fo  ;  sinJ  therefore, 
^ithout  revealing  his  fufpicions  to  any  other  perfon, 
netook  every  needful  precaution  that  the  time  would 
admit  of.  He  walked  round  the  fort  duftig  the  whole 
night,  and  fawhirnfelf  that  every  centinel  was  on  du- 
ty, and  every  weapon  of  defence  in  proper  order. 

As  he  traverfed  the  r?mpart8,  which  lay  nearcft  to 
the  Indian  camp,  he  heard  them  in  high  feftivity,  and, 
little  imagining  that  their  plot  was  difcovered,  proba- 
bly pleafing  themfelves  with  the  anticipation  of  their 
fuccefs.  Asfoon  as  the  morning  dawned,  he  order- 
ed all  the  garrifon  under  arms  ;  ahd  then  imparting 
his  apprehenfions' to  a  few  of  the  principal  officers, 
gave  them  fuch  directions  as  he  thought  neccflary. 

At  the  lame  time  he  fent  round  to  ail  the  traders, 
to  inform  t.liem,  that  as  it  was  expedlel  a  great  num- 
ber of  Indians  would  enter  the  town  hat  day,  who 
might  be  inclined  to  plunder,  he  defired  they  would 
have  ther  araio  ready,  and  repel  every  attempt  of 
that  kind. 

About  ten  o'clock,  Pontiac  and  his  chiefs  arrived ; 
and  were  condudl6d  to  the  council-chamber,  where 
the  governor  and  his  principal  officers,  each  with  pif- 
tols  in  their  belts,  awaited  his  arrival.  As  the  Indi- 
ans pafTed  on,  they  could  not  help  obferving  jhat  a 
greater  number  of  troops  than  ufual  were  drawn  up 
on  the  parade>  or  marching  about.  No  fooner  were 
they  entered,  and  feated  on  the  Ikins  prepared  for  them, 
than  Pontiac  afked  the  governor  on  what  occafion  his 
young  men,  meaning  the  foidiers,  were  thus  drav/u 

^      ,  up 


CARVER'S  TRAV&LS. 


93 


im,  and  parading  the  ftrects.  He  received  for  anfwer, 
that  it  was  only  intended  to  keep  them  perfect  inr 
their  excrcife. 

The  Indian  chief-warrior  now  began  his  fpeech, 
whicii  contained  the  ftrongeft  profeflions  of  fricndftiip 
and  good  will  towards  the  EnglHli ;  aijd  when  he 
cameto  the  delivery  of  the  belt  of  wampun^,  the  parti- 
cular mode  of  which,  according  to  the  woman's  infor- 
mation, was  to  be  the  fignal  for  his  chiefs  to  fire,  the 
governor  and  all  his  chiefs  drew  their  fwords  halfway 
out  of  their  feabbards  j  and  the  foldiers  at  the  fame 
inftant  made  a  clattering  with  their  arms  before  the 
doors,  which  had  been  purpofely  left  open.  Pontiac, 
though  one  of  the  boldeft  of  men,  immediately  turn- 
ed pals,  and  trembled  ;  and  inflead  of  giving  the  belt 
in  the  manner  propofcd,  delivered  it  according  to  the 
ufual  way.  His  chiefs  who  had  impatiently  expert* 
ed  the  fignal,  looked  at  each  othefiwlth  aftoniftiment, 
but  continued  quiet,  waiting  the  rcfult.  , 

The  governor  in  his  turn  made  a  fpeech  ;  but  in- 
ftead  of  thanking  the  great  warrior  for  the  profcf- 
fions  of  friendship  he  had  juft  uttered,  he  accufedhint 
of  being  a  traitor.  He  told  him  that  the  EngUfli,  wha 
knew  every  thing,  were  convinced  of  his  treachery 
and  villainous  defigns  j  and  as  a  proof  that  they  were 
well  acquainted  with  his  moft  fecret  thoughts  and  in- 
tentions, he  ftepped  towards  the  Indian  chief  that  fet 
neareft  to  him,  and  drawing  afide  his  blank-it,  difco- 
vered  the  Ihortened  firelock.  This  entiici/  difcon- 
c'^rted  the  Indians,  and  fruftrated  their  defign. 

He  then  continued  to  tell  them,  that  as  he  had  given 
his  word  at  the  time  ihey  defired  an  audience,  that 
their  perfons  fhould  be  fafe,  he  would  hold  his  pro- 
mife  inviolable,  though  they  fo  little  deferved  it. 
However,  he  advifed  them  to  make  the  beft  of  their 
way  out  of  the  fort,  left  his  young  men  on  being  acv 
quainted  with  their  treacherous  purpofes,  ftiould  cut 
every  one  of  them  to  pieces. 

FontiaQ 


.;^j 


u 


CARVER'S  TRAVFLS^ 


s| 


Pontlac  endeavoured  to  contradict  the  accufatiopy 
and  to  make  excufes  for  his  fufpicious  condu<St ,  but 
the  governor,  fatisfied  of  the  falfity  of  his  protefta^ 
tions,  would  not  liften  to  him.  The  Indians  imme- 
diately left  the  fort,  but  inftead  of  being  fenfible  of 
the  governor's  generous  behaviour,,  they  threw  off 
the  malk,  and  the  next  day  made  a  regular  attack 
upon  it. 

Major  Gladwyn  has  not  efcaped  cenfure  for  this 
rriftaken  lenity;  for  probably  had  he  kept  a  few  of  , 
the  principal  chiefs  prifoners,  whilfl  he  had  tijem  in 
his  power,  he  rpight  have  been  able  to  have  brought 
the  whole  confede-acy  to  terms,  and  have  prevented 
a  war.  But  he  atom.d  for  this  overfight,  by  the  gal- 
lant defence  he  made  for  more  than  a  year,  umidit  a 
variety  of  difcouragements. 

During  that  period  fome  very  fmart  fkirmiihes  hap- 
pened between  tjie  befiegers  and  the  garrifon,  of 
which  the  fqilowing  was  the  principal  and  moft  bloo- 
dy :  Captain  Delzel,  a  brave  officer,  prevailed  on  the 
governor  to  give  him  the  command  of  about  two  hun- 
dred men,  and  to  permit  him  to  attack  the  enemy's 
camp.  This  being  complied  with,  he  faliied  from 
the  town  before  day-break ;  but  Pontiac,  receiving 
from  Ibme  of  his  fwift-footed  warriors,  who  were 
conftantly  employed  in  watching  the  motion  of  the 
garrifon,  timely  intelligence  of  their  defign,  he  col- 
leded  togethei  the  choiceft  of  his  troops,  and  met 
the  detachment  at  fome  diftance  from  his  camp,  near 
a  place  fmce  called  Bloody-Bridge. 

As  the  Indians  were  vaftly  fuperior  in  numbers  to 
Captain  Delzel's  party,  he  was  foon  over-powered  and 
driven  back.  Being  now  nearly  furrounded,  he  made 
a  vigorous  effort  to  regain  the  bridge  he  had  juft  crolT- 
cd^  by  which  alone  he  could  find  a  retreat  j  but  iu 
doing  this  he  luft  his  life,  and  many  of  his  men  fell 
with  him.  However,  Major  Rogers,  the  fecond  in 
command,  afliitedby  LieiUemmtBreham,  found  means 

sv 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


$5 


•  ■  - 

to  draw  ofFthc  (hattered  remains  of  their  little  army, 
and  condu<^ed  them  mto  the  fort. 

Thus  confiderably  reduced,  it  was  with  difficulty 
the  Major  could  defend  the  town  •,  notwithftanding 
which,  he  held  out  againft  the  Indians  till  he  was  re- 
lieved, as  after  this  they  made  but  few  attaclws  on  the 
place,  and  only  continued  to  blockade  it. 

The  Gladwyn  Schooner  (that  in  which  I  afterwards 
took  my  paflage  from  Michillimackinac  to  Detroit, 
^nd  which  I  fmce  learn  was  loft  with  all  her  crew, 
on  Lake  Erie,  through  the  obftinacy  of  the  comman- 
der, who  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  take  in  fuf- 
ficient  ballaft)  arrived  about  this  time,  near  the  town, 
with  a  reinforcement,  and  necefiary  fupplies.  But 
before  this  veflel  could  reach  thfe  place  of  its  deftina- 
tion,  it  was  moftvigoroufly  attacked  by  a  detachment 
from  Pontiac's  army  The  Indians  lurrounded  it  in 
•their  canoes,  and  made  great  havoc  among  the  crew. 

At  length  the  Captain  of  the  fchooner,  with  a  con- 
fiderahle  number  of  his  men  being  killed,  and  the  fa- 
vages  beginning  to  climb  up  the  fides  from  every  quar^ 
ter,  the  lieutenant  (Mr.  Jacobs,  who  afterwards  com- 
manded, an4  was  loft  in  it)  being  determined  that  the 
ftores  (hould  not  fall  into  the  enemy's  hajnds,  and 
feeing  no  other  alternative,  ordered  the  gunner  to  fet 
fire  to  the  powder-room,  and  blow  the  fliip  up.  This 
order  was  on  the  point  of^jejng  executed,  when  a 
chief  of  theHurons,  who  vnderftood  th-*  Englifli  lan- 
guage, gave  out  to  his  friends  the  intention  of  the 
commander.  On  receiving  this  intelligence,  the  In- 
dians hurried  down  the  fides  of  the  Ihip  with  th^ 
greateft  precipitation,  and  got  as  far  from  it  as  poiTi- 
ble  J  whilfl:  the  commander  immediately  took  advan- 
tage of  their  confternation,  and  arrived  without  any 
further  obftrudion  at  the  town. 

This  fcafonable  lupply  gave  the  garrlfon  frefli  fpi- 
rUs ;  and  Pontiao  being  now  convinced  that  it  would 
not  be  in  his  power  to  reduce  the  place,  propofcd  an 

accommodation  j 


'■r 


ij« 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


accommodation;  the  governor  wifhing  as  mucli  to  get 
rid  of  fuch  troublefome  enemies,  who  obftrudcd  the 
intercourfe  .of  the  traders  with  tlje  neighbouring  na- 
tions,  liftened  to  his  propofals,  and  having  procured 
advantageous  terms,  agreed  to  a  peace.  The  Indians 
fopn  after  fcparatcd,  and  returned  to  their  difl'erent 
provinces ;  nor  have  they  fince  thought  proper  to  dif, 
turb,  at  lead  in  any  great  degree,  the  tranquiUlty  of 
thefe  parts. 

Pontiac  henceforward  feemed  to  have  laid  afide  the 
animofity  heliad  hithe>  to  borne  towards  the  Knglifli, 
and  apparently  became  their  zealous  friend.  To  re- 
ward this  new  attachment,  and  to  infure  a  continu- 
ance of  it,  government  allowed  him  a  handfome  pen- 
lion.  But  his  reftlefs  and  intriguing -fpirit  would  not 
fufFer  him  to  be  grateful  for  this  allowance,  and  his 
condu(fl  at  length  grew  fufpicious ;  fo  that  going,  in 
:thc  yeai  1767,  to  hold  a  council  in  the  country  of 
the  Illinois,  a  faithful  Indian,  who  was  either  com- 
miffioned  by  one  of  the  Englifli  governors,  or  inftigat- 
ed  by  the  love  he  bore  the  Englifh  nation,  attended 
him  as  a  fpy  ;  and  being  convinced  from  the  fpeech 
Pontiac  made  in  the  council,  that  he  ftill  retained 
his  former  prejudices  againfl  thofc  for  whom  he  now 
profefled  a  friendfllip,  he  plunged  his  knife  into  his 
heart,  as  foon  as  he  had  done  fpeaking,  a^d'laid  him 
dead  on  the  fpot.     But  to  return  from  this  digreflion. 

Lake  Erie  receives  the  waters  by  which  it  is  fup- 
pled  from  the  three  great  lakes,  through  the  Straits  of 
Detroit,  that  lie  at  its  north-weft  corner.  This  lake 
is  fituated  between  forty ^one  and  forty-three  degrees 
of  north  latitude,  and  between  feventy-eight  and 
eighty-three  degrees  of  weft  longitude.  It  is  near 
three  hun-lred  miles  long  from  eaft  to  weft,  and  a- 
bout  forty  in  its  broadcft  part :  and  a  remarkable 
long  narrow  point  lies  on  its  north  fide,  that  proje£ls 
for  fcver:\l  miles  into  the  lake  towards  the  fouth-caft. 

There 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS.  ^ 


97 


There  are  fcycral  iflands  near  the  weft  end  of  it  fo 
Infcfted  with  rittlc-ihakes,  that  it  is  very  dangerous 
to  land  on  them.     It  is  impoffible  that  any  place  can 

produce  a  greater  number  of  all  kinds  of  thefe  rep- 
tiles than  this  docs,  particularly  of  the  water-fnake. 
The  lake  is  covered  near  the  banks  of  the  iflands  with 
the  large  pond-lilly ;  the  leaves  which  lie  on  the  fur* 
face  of  the  water  fo  thick,  as  to  cover  it  entirely  for 
many  acres  together ;  and  on  each  of  thefe  lay,  wheii 
I  pafled  over  it,  wreathes  of  water-fnakes  balking  in, 
•the  fun,  which  amounted  to  myriads. 

The  moft  remarkable  of  the  different  fpeclcs  that 
infeft  this  lake,  is  the  hiffing-fnake,  which  is  of  the 
fmall  fpeckled  kind,  and  is  about  eight  inches  long. 
When  any  thing  approaches,  it  flattens  itfelf  in  a  mo- 
ment, and  its  fpots,  which  are  of  various  dyes,  be- 
come vifibly  brighter  through  rage ;  at  the  fame  time 
it  blows  from  its  mouth,  with  great  force,  a  /ubtile 
wind,  that  is  reported  to  be  of  a  naiifeous  fmelli  and 
if  drawn  v»  with  ilic  breath  of  the  unwary  traveller, 
will  infallibly  bring  on  a  decline,  that  in  a  few  months 
nittft  prove  mortal,  there  being  no  remedy  yet  difco* 
vered  which  can  cottntera6t  its  baneful  influence, 

>The  ftones  and  pfebbies  on  the  fhores  of  this  lake 
are  me^^f  them  tinged,  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree, 
with  jlpoifr  'that  refemble  bwfs  jn  their  colour,  but 
which  are  of  a  more  fulphureous  nature.  Small  pieces, 
about  the  fize  of  hazle-nuts,  of  the  fame  kinds  of  ore, 
are  found  on  the  fands  that  lie  on  its  banks,  and  un- 
der the  water. 

The  navigation  of  this  lake  is  efl^eemed  more  dan- 
gerous than  any  of  the  others,  on  account  of  many 
high  lands  that  lie  on  the  borders  of  it  and  proje6t 
into  the  water,  in  a  perpendicular  dire£lio'n  for  many 
nilles  together ;  fo  that  whenever  fudden  ftorms  arife, 
canoes  and  boats  are  frequently  loft,  as  there  is  no 
place  for  tliem  to  find  a  flicker. 

I  ThU 


98 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


Wh 


\ 


This  lake  difchargcs  its  waters  at  the  north-caft 
end,  into  the  River  Niagara,  which  runs  north  and 
fowth,  and  is  about  thirty  fix  miles  in  length ;  from 
whence  it  falls  into  Lake  Ontario.  At  the  entrance 
of  this  river,  on  its  eaftern  fliore,  lies  Fort  Niagara  j 
and,  about  eighteen  miles  further  up,  thofe  remarka^ 
blc  Falls  which  are  efteeraed  one  of  the  moft  extraii 
ordinary  produ£lions  of  nature  at  prefent  known. 

As  thefe  have  been  vifited  by  fo  many  travellers 
and  fo  ''requently  defcribed,  I  Ihall  omit  giving  a  par- 
ticular defcription  of  them,  and  only  obferve,  that 
the  waters  by  which  they  are  fupplied,  after  taking 
their  rife  near  two  thoufand  miles  to  the  north-weft, 
and  pafling  through  the  Lakes  Superior,  Michigan, 
Huron,. and  Erie,  during  which  they  have  been  re-, 
ceiving  conftant  accumulations,  at  length  ru(h  dowa 
a  ftupendous  precipice  of  one  hundred  and  forty  feet 
perpendicular ;  and  in  a  ftrong  rapid,  that  extends 
to  the  diftance  of  eight  or  nine  miles  below,  fall  ncar^ 
ly  as  much  more  :  this  river  foonj^ftcr  eijipties  itfelf 
into  Lake  Ontario. 

^he  noife  of  thefe  Falls  may  be  heard  an  amazing 
\vay.-^  I  could  plainly  didinguiih  them  in  a  calip 
morning  more  than  twenty  miles.  Others  have  faid 
that  at  particular  times,  and  when  the  wind  fits  fair, 
the  found  of  then^  reaches  fifteen  leagues. 

The  land  about  the  Falls  is  exceedingly  hilly  and 
uneven,  but  the  greateft  part  of  that  on  the  Niagara 
Hiver  is  very  good,  efpecially  for  grafs  and  pafturage. 

Fort  Niagara  ftands  nearly  at  the  entrarjce  of  the 
weft  end  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  on  the  eaft  pari  of  the 
Straits  of  Niagara,,  It  was  taken  from  the  French 
in  the  year  1759,  by  the  forces  under  the  command 
of  Sir  William  Johnfpn,  aijd  at  prefent  is  defended  by 
a  ^onfiderable  garrifon. 

Lake. Ontario  is  the  next  and  lead  of  the  five  great 
L^kes  of  Canada.  Its  fituation  is  between  forty-three 
aiid  forty-five  degrees  of  latitude,  and  between  feven^ 

ty-fix 


numeroi 


CARVER'S  TRAVELl 


$f 


ty-fix  and  feventy-ninc  degrees  of  weft  longitude. 
The  form  of  it  is  nearly  oval,  its  greateft  length  be- 
ing from  north-eaft  to  lbut\-weft,  and  in  circumfer- 
ence, about  fix  hundred  miles.  Near  the  fouth-eafl: 
part  it  receives  the  waters  of  the  Ofwego  River,  and 
en  the  north-eaft  difcharges  itfelf  into  the  Riv^er  Ca- 
taraqui.  Not  far  from  the  place  where  it  iffues,  Fort 
Frontenac  fotmerly  ftbod,  which  was  taken  from  the 
French  during  the  laft  war,  in  the  year  1758,  by  a 
flnall  army  of  Provincials  under  Col.  Bradftreet. 

At  the  entrance  of  Ofwego  River  ftands  a  fort  of 
die  fame  name,  garrifoned  only  at  prefent  by  an  in- 
confiderable  part^.  This  fort  was  taken  in  the  year 
1756,  by  the  French,  when  a  great  part  of  the  garri- 
fon,  which  confifted  of  the  late  Shirley's  and  Pepper- 
eTs  regiments,  were  maflacred  in  cold  bkod'  by  the 
lavages . 

In  Lake  Ontario  are  taken  many  forts  of  fifli,  a- 
ihong  which  is  the  Ofwego  Bafs,  of  an  excellent  f»  i- 
vour,  and  weighing  about  three  or  four  pounds. 
There  is  alfo  a  fort  called  the  Cat-head  or  Pout,  wliich 
are  in  general  very  large,  fome  of  them  weighing  eight 
or  ten  pounds;  and  they  are  efteemed  a  rare  difh  when 
properly  drefledi 

On  the  nori:h-weft  part  of  this  L^ke,  and  to  tht 
fouth-eaft  of  Lake  Hurdn,  is  a  tribe  of  Indians  called 
Miflifauges,  whofe  town  is  denominated  Toronto, 
from  the  lake  on  which  it  lies ;  but  they  are  not  very 
liumeroius.  The  country  about  Lake  Ontario,  efpe- 
ciaily  the  more  rj^orth  and  eaftern  parts,  is  compofed 
©f  good  land,  and  in  time  may  make  very  flourifti- 
ing  fcttlements. 

The  Oniada  Lake,  fituated  near  the  head  of  the 
River  Ofwego,  receives  the  waters  of  Wood-Creek, 
which  takes  its  rife  not  far  from  the  MohawIj;'s  River. 
Thefc  two  lie  fo  adjacent  to  each  other^Uhat  a  junc- 
tion is  effefted  by  fluices  at  Fort  Stanwix,  about 
twelve  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  former.  '  This 


ilP0i 


lom 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


lake  Is  about  thirty  miles  long  from  call  to  weft,  and 
wear  fifteen  broad.  The  country  around  it  belongi 
to  the  Onitida  Indians. 

Lake  Champlain,  the  next  In  fize  to  Lake  Ontario, 
and  which  lies  nearly  eaft  from  it,  is  about  eighty 
miles  in  length,  north  and  fouth,  and  in  'fts  broadeu 
part  fourteen.  It  is  well  ftored  with  fifli,  and  the 
lands  that  lie  on  all  the  borders  of  it>  and  about  it& 
rivers,  very  good. 

Lake  George  formerly  called  by  the  French,  Lake 
•St.  Sacrament,  lies  to  the  fouth-weit  of  the  lait  men- 
tioned lake,  and  is  about  thirty»five  mUes  long.fronv 
north-eaft  to  fouth-weft,  but  of  no  great  breadth* 
The  country  around  it  is  very  mountainous,  but  in 
the  vallies  tne  land  is  tolerabl/  good. 

When  thefe  two  lakes  were  nrft  difcovered,  they 
were  known  by  no  other  name  than  that  of  tlie  Iro- 
quois Lakes ;  and  I  believe  in  the  ftrfl  plans  taken  of 
thofe  parts,  were  io  denominated.  The  Indians  alfa 
that  were  then  called  the  Iroquois^  are  iincti  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Five  Mohawk  natioxis,  and  the 
^lohawks  of  Canada.  In  the  late  war,  the  former, 
which  confiH:  of  the  Onondagoes,  the  Onladas,  the 
Senecas,  the  Tufcaroriei,  and  Iroondocks,  fpu^t  ou 
the  fide  of  the  Englifli :  the  latter  which  are  called 
the  Cohnawaghans,  ^d  St.  Francis  Indians,  joined 
che  French. 

A  vafl  tracSl  of  land  that  lies  between  the  two  laft 

irtemioned  lakes  and  Lake  Ontario,  was  granted  in 

the  year  1629,  by  the  Plymouth  Cpmpany,  under  a 

patent  they  had  received  from  King  James  I.  to  Sir 

Ferdinando  Gorges^  and  to  Captain  John  Mafon,  the 

head  of  that  family,  afterwards   diftinguifhed  from 

others  of  the  fame  name,  by  the  Mafons  of  Connedi- 

cut.     The  countries  fpecified  ia  this  grant  are   faid 

to  begin  ten  miles  from  the  heads  of  the  rivers  that 

from  the  eait  and  fouth  into  Lake  George  and 

*"  'jhamplain  i  and  continuing  ^om  thefe  in  a  di* 

i»..        <A  '  reft 


CARVl?R's  TRAVELS. 


lOI 


itCt  Hn^  weftw^rd)  extend  to  the  middle  of  Lake  On- 
ttrio'i  ^f^Ai  thencC)  being  bounded  by  the  Cataraqui, 
or  river  of  the  Iroquois,  they  take  their  courfe  to 
Montreal,  as  far  as  Fort  Sorreli,  which  lies  at  the 
junflion  of  this  river  with  the  Richlieu ;  and  from 
that  point  afre  enelofed  by  the  laft  mentioned  river 
tin  it  returns  back  to  the  two  lakes. 

This  immenfc  {pace  was  granted  by  the  name  of 
die  Province  of  Laconia,  to  ttie  aforefaid  gentlemen, 
on  fpecificd  conditions  and  under  certain  penalties  ; 
but  none  of  thefe  amounted  in  cafe  of  omffRon  in  the 
fulfilment  of  any  part  of' them,  to  forieiture,  a  fine 
only  could  be  cxafted. 

On  account  of  the  continual  wars  to  which  thefc 
parts  have  been  fubjeft,  from  their  fituation  between 
the  fetdements  of  the  Englilh,  the  French,  and  the 
fiwRans,  this  grant  has  been  fuffered  to  lie  dormant 
by  the  real  proprietors..  Notwithftandin^  which,  fe- 
veral  townshavc  been  fettled  fince  the  late  war,  on. 
the  borders  of  Laike  Champlain,  >nd  grants  made  to 
diffferent  people  by  tlie  governor  o£  New  York,  of 
part  of  thelic'  territories,  which  are  now  become  an- 
nexed to  that  province..    ' 

There  are  a  great  number  of  lakes  on  the  north  of 
Canada,  between  Labrador,  Lake  Superior,  and  Hud- 
fon^sBay,  but  thefeatc  comparatively  fmall.  As  they 
lie  out  of  the  track  that  I  purfoed,  I  fliall  only  give  a 
fummary  account  of  them.  The  moft  wefterly  of*^ 
thefe  are  the  Lakes  Nipifing  and  Tamifcaming.  The 
firft  lies  at  the  head  of  the  French  River,  and  runs 
into  Lake'^nron  j  the  other  on  the  Ottawaw  Riverj, 
which  empKs  itfelf  into  the  Cataraqui  at  Montreal* 
Thefe  lakes  are  each  about  one  hundred  miles  in' 
circumference. 

The  next  is  Lake  Miftaflin,  on  the  head  of  Rupert's' 
River,  that  falls  into  James's  Bay.    'I'his  Lake  is  fo 
irregular  from  the  large^pointis  of  land  by  which  it  is^ 
intcrfc^W  ott^rvcry  fidte,  thai  it  isr  difficult  dther  to* 

I  ^  defcribe 


^uiav]'-^ 


!.; 


Ida 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


Jl 


defcribe  its  fhape,  or  to  afcertaln  its  fize.  It  however 
appears  on  the  whole  to  be  more  thsSn  two  hundred 
miles  in  circumference. 

Lake  St.  John,  which  is  about  eighty  miles  round, 
and  of  a  circular  form,  lies  on  the  Saguenay  River, 
direftly  north  of  Quebec,  and  falls  into  the  St.  Law- 
rence, fomewhat  north-eall  of  that  city.  Lake  Man- 
ikouagone  lies  near  the  head  of  the  Black  Riyer, 
■which  empties  itfclf  into  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the 
eaftward  of  the  laft  mentioned  river,  near  the  coaft 
of  Labrador,  and  is  about  fixty  miles  in  circumfer- 
ence, Lake  Pertibi,  Lake  Wincktagan,  Lake  Etche- 
laugon,  and  Lake  Papenouagane,  with  a  number  of 
other  fmall  lakes,  lie  near  the  heads  of  the  Buftard 
River  to  the  north  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 

Many  others,  which  it  is  unneceflUry  to  particular- 
ize here,  are  aJfo  found  between  the  Lakes  Huron 
and  Ontario. 

The  whole  of  thofc  I  have  enumerated,  amount- 
ing to  up  Awards  of  twenty,  are  within  the  limits  of 
Canada  ;  and  from  this'  account  it  might  be  deduced, 
that  the  northern  parts  of  North-America,  through 
thefe  numerous  inland  feas,  contain  a  greater  quantity 
of  water  than  any  other  quarter  of  the  globe. 
"  In  October  1 768  I  arrived  at  Bofton,  having  been 
abfent  fronvit  on  this  expedition  two  years  and  five 
jnionths,  and  during  that  time  travelled  near  feven 
ihoufand  miles.  From  thence,  as  foon  as  I  had  pro- 
perly digefted  my  Journal  and  Charts,  I  fet  out  for 
England  to  communicate  the  difcoveries  I  had  made, 
and  to  render  them  beneficial  to  the  kingdom.  But 
the  profecution  of  my  plans  for  reaping  thefe  advan- 
tages have  hitherto  been  obftru£led  by  the  unhappy 
divifions  that  have  been  fomented  between  Great- 
Britain  and  the  Colonics  by  their  inutual  enemies. 
Should  peace  once  more  be  reftored,  I  doubt  not  but 
that  the  countries  I  have  defcribed  will  prove  a  niore 
s^uadant  Iburge  of  riches  to  |his  nation^  than  either 

its 


CARVER'S,  TRAVEl^S. 


103 


its'Eaft  or  Weft-Indian  fcttlcments ;  and  I  flialJ  not  > 
onlf  pride  myfelf,  but  fincerely  rejoice  in  being  the 
means  of  pointing  out  to  it  fo  valuable  an  acqulfition^ 

I  cannot  conclude  the  account  of  my  extenfive  tra- 
velsi  without  exprefling  my  gratitude  to  that  benefi- 
cent being  who  invifibly  protedled  me  through  thofe 
perils  which  unavoidably  attend  fo  long  a  tour  a« 
mong  fierce  and  untutored  favages. 

At  the  fame  time  let  me  not  be  accufed  of  vanity 
or  prefumption,  if  I  declare  that  the  motives  alledged 
in  the  introdudkion  of  this  work,  were  not  the  only 
ones  that  induced  me  to  engage  in  this  arduous  un<* 
dertaking.  My  views  were  not  folcly  confined  to 
the  advantages  that  might  accrue  either  to  myfelf,  or 
the  community  to  which  I  belonged ;  but  nobler 
purpofes  contributed  principally  to  urge  me  on. 

The  confined  ftatc,  both  with  regard  to  civil  and 
religious  improvements,  in  which  fo  many  of  my  fel* 
low-creatures  remained,  aroufed  within  my  bofom 
an  irrefiftible  inclination  to  explore  the  almoft  un* 
known  regions  which  they  inhabited  •<,  and  as  a  pre- 
paratory ftep  towards  the  introdu£lion  of  more  po-» 
liflied  manners,  and  more  humane  fentiments,  to 
gain  a  knowledge  of  their  Hanguage,  cufloms^  and 
principles 

I  confefs  that  the  little  benefit  too  many  of  the  In- 
dian nations  have  hitherto  received  from  their  inter- 
courfe  with  thofe  who  denominate  thenifelves  Chrif* 
tians,  did  not  tend  to  encourage  my  charitable  pur- 
^pofes  j  yet  as  many,  though  not  the  generality,  might 
receive  fome  benefit  from  the  introduction  among 
th^^m  of  the  polity  and  religion  of  the  Europeans, 
without  retaining  only  the  errors  or  vices  that  from 
the  depravity  and  perverfion  of  their  profeflbrs  are 
unhappily  attendant  on  thefe,  I  determined  to  per- 
fevcre. 

Nor  could  I  flatter  myfelf  that  I  flioukl  be  able  to 
accoBipUilh  alone  this  great  defijjn  j  however,  I  was 

willing 


I 


*';    \ 


,  •,.    •'    % 


I 


f 


i%'^-,j:' 


4i, 


to4f 


CAftVKR'*  TRAVELS. 


^Hng  lo  contriWe  as  mnch  ai.  kjr  in  my  powet  t04 
<tifanis  ih  In  att  miblio  ttftekeitakifil  woxild  everji 
oae  do  thi%  and  nirnilb  with  aiocritf  his  pcurttcuUr 
iharr  txnraids'  i|»  vibat  AopendoaS'  woslo  ttifgi»t  not 
be  completed^ 

It  is  tTue  thati  the  Ixidians  ace  not  wfthout  fomei 
fisnfo  o£  religion)  and  Inch  aS'  proves-  that  theV  wor<' 
fliip  the  Great  Creator  with  a  degiee  of  purity  un- 
known  to  nations,  who  hare  greater  oji^mrcunities  of 
improvement ;  but  their  religious-  principles  are  faf 
fiom  being  fo  &iukle(s  as  de&sibed  b^p*  a^  learned  wri- 
ttty  or.  unmixed  with,  opinioni*  and'  eevemonies  that 
greatly  leiTen  "heir  exoeliency  in  this  point.  So  that 
could  the  dofbrines  of  venuine  and  vital  Chriltianity 
be  introdiioed  among  diem,  pure  and  untainted,  as 
it  flowed  from  the  lips  of  its  Divine  Inftru£bpr,  it 
would  certaioly  tend  to  clear  away,  that  fuperftitious 
or  idolatrous  drofs  by  which  His  rationality  of  their 
religious  tenets  are  obfcured*  Its  mild  and-  beneii« 
cent  precepts  would  like  wife  condutte  to^  foft^n  their 
implacable  difpofitions^  and  fo  refine  their  favage 
manners  ;  in  event  moft  deiirable  ;  and  happy  fhall 
I  eileem  myfelf,  if  this  publication  ihall  prove  the 
means  ofpoiating  out  thtfpath-by  which  falutary  in- 
ftru6Uons  may  be  conveyed  to  them^  and  the  c<viver* 
£on^  though  but  of  a  fSew,  be  the  confequence* 


CoNCtUSION  O?  THE  JoURNAIL,  i2fc\ 


^■ 


9B 


.•*v 


OF  THfe 

OR  I C I  Nj  MAN  N  E  R  S,  C  US  TO  M  S^ 
RELIGION  AND  LANGUAGE 

oyxHtf 

I   N    I>   I    A    N    s/ 


■••^ 


CHAFTBlt      r. 


HE  means  bfy  which  America  reodTod  it» 
firft  inhabitants,  have,  fince  the  tune  a£  its.  difcovsry 
by  the  Europeans,  been  the  fabje£k  of  nuniberlels 
difquifitions.  Was  I  to  endeaViiur  to  colle£t:  the  citf>« 
ferent  opinions  and  reaibnings  of  the  varioui  writersi 
that  have  taken  up  the  pen  in  defence  of  ^heir  con- 
je^luresy  the  enumeration  would  much  exceed  tlie 
bounds  I  have  prefcribed  to  myfelf,  and  oblige  me  t& 
be  lefs  explicit  on  points  of  greater  moment* 

From  the  obfcurity  in  wbicli  this,  debate  ia  enve-^ 
leped,  through  the  total  difufe  of  lettess  among  every 
nation  of  Indians  on  thi&exten£ve  continent^  and  the 
uncertamtj  of  oral  tradition  at  t^e  diilaaceaf  fo  ma- 
ny ages,  I  fear,  that  even  after  the  moft  minute  inveili- 

'gation, 


ri 


.r:,^f4' 


..'  •.,    ■' 


lo6 


CARVEft.'s  tRAV^LS. 


m 


il3  I  ■'' 


m 


WM 


gation,  we  fiiall  not  be  able  to  fettle  it  with  any  greit 
degree  of  certainty.  And  this  a|3f)rehenlIon  will  re- 
ceive  additional  force>  when  it  is  confidered  that  the 
diverfity  of  language,  which  is  apparently  di(tin£l:  be- 
tween moft  of  the  Indians,  tefids  to  afcertain  that  this 
population  was  not  effef^ed  from  one  particular 
cjuncry,  but  from  feveral  neighbouring  ones,  and 
completed  at  different  periods. 

Moft  of  the  hiftorians,  or  travelkrs  that  have  treated 
on  the  AmeJcan  Aborigines,  difagree  in  their  fenti- 
ments  relative  to  them.  Many  of  the  ancients  are 
fuppofed  to  have  known  thaf  {his  quarter  of  the  globe 
not  only  exifted,  but  alfo  that"  it  was  inhabited.  Pla- 
to in  his  TifnsEus  ha$  ailertcd,  that  beyoiid  the  ifiand 
which  he  calls  Atalantis,  and  which,  according  to  his 
defcription,  was  fituated  in  the  "Weftern  Ocean,  there 
were  -a  great  number  of  other  iilands,  and  behind 
thofe  a  vaft  continent. 

Oviedo,  a  celebrated  Spanifh  author  of  a  much 
later  date,  has  made  no  fcruple  to  affirm  that  the 
Antilles  are  the  famous  Hefperides  fo  often  mention- 
ed by  the  poets ;  which  are  at  length  reftored  to  the 
kings  of  Spain,  the*  defcendants  of  king  Hcfperus, 
who  lived  upwards  of  three  thoufand  years  ago,  and 
from  whdm  thefe  iilands  received  their  name. 

Tv/o  other  Spaniards,  the  one,  Fathei  Gregorio 
Garcia,  a  Dominican,  the  other.  Father  Jofeph  De 
Acofta,  a  Jefuit,  have  Vrittgi  on  the  origin  of  the 
Americans. 

The  fojrmer,  who  had  been  employed  in  the  mif- 
fions  of  Mexico  and  Peru,  endeavoured  to  prove  from 
the  traditions  of  the  Mexicans,  Peruvians,  and  others 
which  he  received  on  the  fpot,  and  from  the  variety 
of  chara6lers,  cuftoms,  languages,  and  religion  ob- 
fervable  in  the  diiFcrent  countries  of  the  New  World, 
that  different  nations  had  contributed  to  the  peo- 
pling of  it. 

"  The 


CARVER^s  TRAVELS. 


107 


The  latter,  Father  De  Acofta,  in  his  examination 
of  the  means  by  which  the  firft  Indians  of  America 
might  haye  found  a  paflage  to"  that  continent,  difcrc- 
dits  the  cQi^cIufions  of  thofe  who  have  fuppofed  it  to 
be  by  fea,  %ecaufe  i?o  anqient  author  has  made  men- 
tion of  the  compafs  :  and  concludes,  that  it  muft  b? 
pither  by  the  north  of  Afia  and  Europe,  which  adjoin 
to  each  other,  or  by  thofe  regions  that  lie  to  the  fouth- 
ward  of  the  Straits  of  Magellan.  He  alfo  rejei^s  the 
jiflertions  of  fucn  as  haye  advanced  that  it  was  peo- 
pled by  the  Hebrews.  • 

John  de  Laet,  a  Flemifli  writer,  has  controverted 
the  opinions  of  thefe  Spanifli  fathers,  and  pf  many 
others  who  have  written  on  the  fame  fubje^.  The 
hypothefis  he  endeavours  to  eftablifli,  is,  that  Ameri- 
ca was  certainly  peopled  by  the  Scythians  or  Tartars  : 
aud  that  the  tranfmigration  of  thefe  people  happened 
foon  after  the  difperfion  of  Noah's  grand  fons.  He 
undertakes,  to  (how,  that  the  moll  northern  Ameri-, 
cans  have  a  greater  refemblance,  not  only  in  the  fea- 
tures of  their  countenances,  but  alfo  in  their  com- 
plexion and  manner  of  living,  to  the  Scythians,  Tar- 
tars, and  Samoeides,  than  to  any  other  nations. 

in  anfvver  to  Grotius,  who  had  aflerted  that  fome 
of  the  Norwegians  pafTed  into  America  by  way  pf 
Greenland,  and  over  a  vaft  continent,  he  fays,  that 
it  is  well  known  that  Qrcenland  was  not  difcovered 
till  the  year  964  ;  and  both  Gomera  and  Herreri  in- 
form us  that  the  Chichimeqaes  were  fettled  on  the 
Lake  of  Mexico  in  721.  'He  adds,  that  thefe  favages, 
according  tp  the  uniform  tradition  of  the  Mexicans 
who  difpoflefled  them,  came  from  the  country  fince 
called  New-Moxico,  and  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
California ;  conf.equentjy  North-America  muft  have 
been  inhabited  m^my  ages  before  it  could  receive  any 
inhabitants  from  Norway,  by  way  of  Greenland. 
•  It  is  no  lefs  certain,  he  obferves,  that  the  real  Mex- 
icans founded  their  empire  in  pui,  after  h?ving  fub^t 

dued 


If',;  uWi  ^m 


(•^  f . 


■  ■      i 


It"       h 


'?  'I  ' 


Is 


if"' 

111   itlli^l 


.- 


«68 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


^ued  the  Chlchimeques,  the  Otomias,  and  otlicr  ^)a^ 
barous  nations,  who  had  taken  ;fidireflion  of  tKc 
<:ountry  round  the  Lake  of  Mexicc,  aiid  each  of  whom 
fpoke  a  language  peculiar  to  themfelrBs.  ^  The  rc:4 
Mexicans  are  likewife  fuplyofed  to  come  iFrom  fomc 
of  the  countries  that  lie  near  California,  and  that  they 
performed  their  'journey  for  the  mott  part  by  land ; 
of  courfe  they  could  not  come  fronn  Norway. 

De  LaHt  further  adds,  that  though  fome  of  the  in. 
habitants  of  North- Atnferica,  may.  have  entered  k 
from  the  north-weft,  yeti>?^|*  |t  iS'ircJated  by  Pliny, 
and  fome  other  writers,  tliKt  pn  many  of  the  iflands 
near  the  weftem  coaft  of  Afiica,  partttulariy  on  the 
Canaries,  fome  ancient  edifices  were  fcen,  it  is  high- 
ly probable  from  theur  being  now  deferted,  that  the 
inhabitants  may  have  paiTed  over  to  America  4  the 
pafTage  being  neither  lon^  isor  diScuIt.  This  ml- 
gratioxf,  according  io  the  calculation  of  thofe  authors, 
muft  have  happened  more  than  twd  thoufand  year$ 
ago,  at  a  time  when  the  Spaniards  were  much  trou- 
bled by  the  Carthaginians ;  from  whom  having  ob- 
tained a  knowledge  of  navigation,  and  the  con(i:ruc« 
tion  of  (hips,  they  might  have  retired  to  the  Antiles, 
by  the  way  of  the  weftern  ifles,  which  were  exadly 
half  way  on  their  voyage. 

He  thinks  alfo  that  Great-Britain,  Ireland,  and  the 
Orcades  were  extremely  proper  to  admit  of  a  fimilar 
conjedlure.  As  a  proof,  he  inferts  the  following 
paflage  from  the  hiftory  of  Wales,  written  by  Dr. 
David  Powel,  in  the  year  1170. 

This  hiftorian  fays,  that  Madoc,  one  of  the  fens 
of  Prince  Owen  Gwynnith,  being  difgufted  at  the 
civil  wars  which  broke  out  between  his  brothersi 
after  the  death  of  their  father,  fitted  out  feveral  vef- 
fels,  and  having  provided  them  with  every  thing  ne- 
cciTary  for  a  long  voyage,  went  in  queft  of  new  lands 
to  the  weftward  of  Ireland  ;  there  he  difcovered  very 
fertile  countries,  but  deftitute  of  inhabitants ;  when 

landing 


A- 


CARVER's  TRAVELS. 


109 


}^w  part  ^  his  peo^le»  he  returned  tn  Britain, 
where  ne  raifedjlfew  levies,  and  afterwards  tranfport- 
ed  tQ  this  colopy . 

'  The  Flemim  author  th^  returns  to  the  Scythiam, 
between  whom  and  the  i^onericans  he  draws  a  paral- 
lel. He  ob£#«^  t&t  fereral  nations  of  them  to  the 
north  of  the  Ca%iian  Sea,  led  a  wandering  life }  which, 
as  well  as  many  other  of  t^eir  cuftoms,  and  wav  o£ 
livings  agrees  ti^Biunv  circumftances^tth  the  Indians 
of  America.  ^J|^  thc^^^  the  refemblances  are  not 

igrants,  even  before  they 

ed  from  each  others  and 

Their  change  of  abode 


abiblutely*perfiilS|yet 
left  their  own  coun 
wcnuiot  by  the  fa 
«0el^  what  remained. 
V  ,He  forther  fays>i|ijat  a  flmilar  likenefs  exifts  be- 
tween feyeral  American  nations,  and  the  Samceides 
who  are  fettled  according  to  the  Ruffian  accounts, 
on  the  great  River  Oby.  And  it  is  more  natural, 
continues  he,  to  fuppofe  that  Colonies  of  thefe  nations 
paiTed  over  t^ipimeric&  by  croffin^v(^e  icy  fea  on  their 
fledges,  thanfor  the  Norwegians  to  travel  all  the  way 
ISrotius  has,  marked  out  for  them. 

This  writer  makes  many  other  remarks  that  are 
equally  fenfible,  and  which  appear  to  be  juil  ;  but 
he  int^rijuxes  with  thefe  fome  that  are  not  fo  well- 
founded^j, 

,Ebai?uel.  dc  Morae2,  a  Fortugeufe,  in  his  hiftory 
of  Brazil,  aiTerts  that  America  has  been  wholly  peo- 
pled by  tht  Carthaginians  and  Ifraelites.  He  brings 
as  a  proof  of  this  aflertion  the  difcoveries  the  former 
arc  known  tq^^ve  made  at  a  great  diftance  beyond 
the  coaft  of  Arrica.  The  piogrefs  of  which  being 
put  a  ftop  to  by  the  fenate  of  Carthage,  thofe  who 
happened  to  be  then  in  the  newly  difcovcred  coun- 
tries, being  cut  off  from  all  communication  with  their 
countrymen,  and  deftiti^  of  many  neceilaries  of  life, 
fell  into  a  iUte  of  baxb«i?ifin.      As  to  the  Ifraelites, 

^  this     . 


>■,'■■?;*  I 


Sv-Ji 


t* 


no 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


,5, 


# 


.^is  author  thinks  that^nothing^p  circumcifien  is 
wanted  in  order  tp*  corilfetute  a  ftrfc<il  refembltoce 
between  them  an^  the  Brazilianl?*|ii 

Geovge  De  Hornri,  a,I^,irhe4  l^^utchman,  has  Ii)te. 
wife  written  on  this  fubje^^j|rHe  fets  out  withde, 
daring,  t^at  he  ddes  not  beSeveii  poflible  Ameriq 
could  hilfe  beerf  people^  before  the  flood,  confidenni; 
the  fliort  fpace  of  time  whjch  elapfed  between  the 
creation  Qf  jt}ie  world  and  that  irfe|ribrabie  event,  In 
tSc^next  place  he  '^^^^'Jjjj^^M  JiB^I^.^"ciple,  th»t'  af.  j 
ter  the  deluge,  me^  m|^^ 

^etrated  into  that  i  iiiiiitj|P|Kniiirj  fea  and  by  land { 
fome  through  accident,  amrl^me  from  a.fa|pied  de. 
(ign.     That  birds  got  thithef  by  flight  j  which  they  j 
were  enabled  to  do  by  reftirlg  on  the  rocks  and  ifl.| 
ands  that  are  fcatterecl  4b9u!t  the  Ocean. 

He  furtherobfervcsV^at  wild  beafts  may  have  found  I 
?i  free  paflage  by  lands  and  that  if  we  do  not  meet' 
with  horfes  or,ra||:le  (to  which  hej^ght,  have  addeij 
e^phants,  camos,  rhinoceros,  aSr  l^fts  of  mann 


other  kinds)  it  is   becaufe  tHpfe  natidiis  that 
diither,  were  either  not  acquainted  witti^eiruft,or| 
.Jiad  no  convenience  to  fupport  them. 

Having  totally  excluded  many  hatioiis  that  otherj] 
.have  admitted  as  the  probable  firft  fettl^ys  of  Ameri*| 
Cjsi,  for  yhich  he  gives  fubftaijtial  reafdils,  he  fijpp 
fcs  that  i^  began  to  be  peopled  by  the  north/  m 
maintains  the  prio>Itive  colonies  fpread  themfelvcs  by] 
the  means  of  the  ifthmusr  of  Panama  through  tk] 
whole  extent  of  the  continent.    -'^ 

He  believes  that  'the  firft  fottft^s  of  the  Indianl 
Colonies  were  Scythians.  That  the  Phoenicians  anij 
Carthaginians  afterwards  got  footing  in  America  aj 
crofs  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  theChinefe  by  wayoff 
the  Pacific.  And  that  ojher  nations  might  from  timcj 
to  time  have  landed  thtreby  one  pr  other  of  thefej 
ways,  or  might  poflibly^a#  been  thrown  on  the  coaft 
by  tempefts :  fince,  tm%ugh  the  whole  extent  of  tW 

contlueiit 


m. 


jntinent 

meet  w^it 
northern* 

er 


tiananiig 
vents,  bi] 
v^hen  the 
pledj 


atteud,tJn 
fays,  are 

mm 

gloBe,  tol 

^lirftdiiQO 
ni(?ft  anql 
b|e  roa<^  t 
ltupei|4o] 
ei^ecutcd 
.He  fui 
ctans,  th 


pmion 
difcevci 
iiaces  ii 
To  tl 
bcra,  h( 
rent  nj 
For  th< 
berlefsl 
felf  w[ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


III 


•J 

continent,  both  in  it^  northern  and  foutheni  parts,  we 
n»e6t  w^ith  undjy^ed   marks  of  a  n^ixturc  of  the 


northern natioril|ph  thofejjiirhohavfi  come  from  oth- 
er places.  Ahi %lftly">,  ttwt  ft)me  Jews  and  Chrif- 
tlana  n^igHt'hafc  been  c^rrjed  there  bjj;  fuch  like  c- 
vents,  but  tWt  thiMJ^  a  time 

when  the  wholcM I^Ji^^Vo'^^^  '^^^  already  peo- 

After  a|l,  he  acl-nowledges  that  greal^ifEculttcs 
attend,the  deteriftlnatipn  of  the  qucftion. ;  Thefe,  he 


fays,  site  ocGaJ 

globe,  towara?  t1 
n(]|it|bc«  tp  tile  ha 
firftdac 


^rft  piacjef  by  the  ii^r-^*^ 
the  extremides  oFthe  *" 
1  pole;  an4  in  the 
iich  the  Spaniards,  tlie 

^„ Jco^crcrS  of  tM.hc^  wo^tS,;  made  among  ita 

mplii  ancient  mqnuil^ts^  ^;itnef^tlie  great  dou- 
ble roa^tfitiyixt.'XJ^itp  ^Xu^co,  an  tindertaking  To 
iUipra^ojJSj-t^W^  f^^^gni^cc^Ht  of  thofe 

CJ^ecutcd  ii/ the  ttom^ins  cannot  Be  comparedHo  it. 

He  fup^fi^^Ko.ajPP^thcr; migration  of  the  f'hoen> 
ckw,  i^^ffCc  iixp0f  ^ritti0dt  to  have-tivken 
pjaCe.5  and  rfjift  vra^iifi^g  a  th ree'y fears  Voyageimade 
B^tBcfjirian,  «ii,5n  fhe  Jefyieii  of  Khi^  Solomon. 
He  ffi^i;^dn,dx6  aii^^^^^^^  that  tTie  port 

it\>tici^j8i*s^%ibarkatiort>?^mad^*  lay  in  thfe  jVle* 
diterra^ttn...  The'^jset,  he  adds,  ^tnt  'itiqu'e^  6f  ^le- 
ll'ants  i^^  and  pe^^otks  to  the  Wcftern  Coaft  o^  M- 
l^a,  wfcidhjs  Tarfift  j  then  to  Opllif  fof  goli^y  *diich 
i<^ake,  or  the  Ml^ad  of  Hifpaniola  y  in  th5e  letter  o- 
pmionhe  is  fupported  by  Columbus,  wl^fVhen  he 
difcevcreti  tbi|  ifland,'tl^o,ught  he  could  trlee  the  fur- 
naces in  wh^^  the  g^oltt^Wijis  refined. 

To  the fe  migrations  which^prececkd  the  Clliiftim. 
bcra,  he  adds  m-ahy  otli^rs  of  a  later  dat^.  froth  di^iP 
rent  nations,  but  thefe  I  have  not  timetd'eniiiherate. 
For  the  fame  leafon  J.^m  obliged  to  pafs  over  num- 
berlefs  w^^iers  on  thiej^je^l: ;  and  (hall  content^iy-  \ 
felf  with;<|njy  "iviS^i^mentiments  of  two  or  three 
tnore, .  jH^o^  Iftc 


f  1  ,        i"  \    *M  *A 

1 1;. 


fi:i 


'9^HI 

m 

112 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


■».  '.i  { ', 


ill 


The  firft  of-thefc  is  Pierre  DeXharlevoix,  a% 
Frenchman,  who,  in  his  joiugial  of iM|^l|age  to  North- 
America,  made  fo  lately  as%e  year  ^2o,  has  recapi- 
tulated the  opinions  ox  a  variety  ol^ai^ors  on  this 
head,  to  whidi  he  has  fubjoinedLhis  own  conje£tures. 
But  the  latter  cannot  without  ^||iie  difficulty  be  ex- 
tra£^ed,  ast^ly  are  fo  interwoven  with  the  paiTages 
he  has  quot)P|  thaf  it  requires  much  attention  to  Sii-  - 
criminate  tlietn. 

fit^feems  to  aUow  that  A|neztca  m|ght  Ea^ve  re« 
reiv^Kts  firft  inhabitants,  ^B^^T^Ip^y  a^llyrca- 
nia.    This  he  confirm^)  J^^fUpv^^S  tnat^e  lions 


iriligthatl 
and  tiger§  which  are  foun^S^^^former,  mttftjutre 
come  from  thofe  countries,  andf^vhole  paffiige  ffvet 
for  a  proof  that  the  two  hemif{i|^ere8  join  to  the 
northward  of  Afia*  Ife  then  draws  a  corroboration 
of  this  argument,  from  c  %^  he  fays  he  has  often 
heard  teiated  by  Father  CroUon»  a  French  Jefuit,as 
an  undoubted  matter  of  fa^.     4,      ^. 

This  Father,  aft^  having  laboured  Jttne  time  m 
themilEons  of  New  Fran^i^  pa^u^^oiilFtp  thofe  of 
China.  One  day  as  he  was  travel^^  in  Tfrt^ry,  he 
met  a  Huron  womsp  whom  he  had  n>rm^%  ^nQwn 
in  Canada.  He  afleed  hrr  by  what  adventure  (but  h»d 
been  carryed  intb  a  coulftry  (6  di^ant  from  Heir  own. 
She  lAade  aiifwer>  that  having  been  taken  In  war, 
ihe  had  been  conduced  from  nation  tb  oaAon,  till 
(he  had  reach^  the  place  at  which  ihe  then  was. 

Monfieur  Charlevoix  fays  further,  that  he  had  been 
afiured  another  Jefuit,  paffing  throufl^l^ntz,  in  his 
return  from  China,  had  related  muot^^^  another 
affair  of  a  Spanifh  wo|na^  from  FlotilKr  She  alfo 
llifl  bee^  taken  by  certain  Indians,  and  given  tp  thofe 
of  a  more  di^ant  country  }  and  by  thefe  again  to  ano- 
ther nation,  till  having  thus  been  fucceflively  pailed 
froni^country  to  country,  and  travelled  through  regi- 
ons extremely  cold,  flie  at  laft^li^nd  herfelf  m  Tar- 
tary.  Here  (he  had  marri^Ji  ISrtar,  who  had  at* 
•X  tended 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


J»3 


>ix,  a% 

'orth- 

:capi. 

this 
cures, 
|be  cx- 
iffages 
to  diU 


tne  in 

ofe  of 

Itnpwa 

r  own. , 
i    war, 
an,  tilt 

dbeen 

•  i|)  his 
nptlker 
ic'alfo 
3  thofe 

0  aho- 
pafled 

1  regi- 
iTar. 
id  zU 
led 


tended  the  conquerorrin  China,^where  flic  was  then 

♦fettled.  J. 

Ke  acknowR^^s  as  ^i^allay  to  the  probaBil:ty  of 
thefc  ftories,  thife  thofe  wlio  had  failed  farthcft  to  the 
caftward  of  Aiia,  by  purfuing  the  Coafl  of  Jeflb,  or 
Kamfchatika,  havejxcg^ndcd  that  they  had  perceived 
the  extremity  of  thSrontinent  i  and  from  whence  have 
concluded  that  there  could  not  poffibl^e  any  com- 
munication by  land.  But  he  idds'  thatlRpncts  Guel- 
la,  a  Spaniard,  is  faid  to  have  aflerted,  that  this  fepa- 
rstioh  is  no  n^i^  than  a  (Irait,  about  one  hundreid 
miles  ovfst,  an^lHtat  foi^^'latd  voyages  of  the  Ja^iftcfc 
give  grounds  to  thirik'^jSit'^tliiai  ftrait  is  only  a  bay,  a- 
bov|«jvhich  there- is*  a  paflage  over  land. 

He  goes  on  to  obferve,  that  though  th^re  are  few 
wild  beafts  to  be  met  with  in  North- America,  except 
a  kind  of  tigers  without  fpots,  Which  are  found  in  the 
country  of  the  Iroquoife^ct  towards  the  tropics  there 
are  lions  and  real  tigers,  which,  notwithllanding, 
might  have  cqme  from  Hyrcania  and  Tartary  j  for 
as  by  advani||g  gradually  fouthward  they  met  with 
climates  more  agreeable  fb  their  natures,  they  have 
in  time  abandoned  the  northern  countries. 
♦  He  quotes  both  Solinus  and  Pliny  to  prove  that  the 
Scythian  Anthropophagi  onpe  depopulated  a  grciit 
extent  of  country,  as  far  as  the  promontory  Tabin  ; 
and  alfOan  aiuthor  of  later  date,  Mark  Pol,  a  Vene- 
tian, who,  he  fays,  tells  us,  that  to  the  notth-eaft  of 
China  and  Tartary  there  are  vaft  unirfhabited  coun- 
triesfj^hich  might  be  fufficicnt  to  confirm  any  con- 
jectures cQjtiCerning  the  retreat  of  a  great  number  of 
Scythians^mtb  America. 

To  this  he  adds,  that  w^  find  in  the  antients  the 
names  of  fome  of  thefe  nations.  Pliny  fpeak«  ©f^lb 
Tabians ;  Solinus  mentions  the  Apuleans,  who  had 
for  neighbours  the  Maflagetes,  whom  Pliny  fincc  ai- 
fures  us  to  have  eptirely  difappeard.  Ammianus 
Marcellinus  exprefslf  tells  us,  that  the  fear  of  the  An* 

K  %f:'  thropophagi 


li 


!,l 


Mi 


il.fi    , 
rJt:! fclfc'J  : 


"4 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


I'.r 


thropdphag'i  obliged  fcvcral  of  the  inhabitants  of  thofe 
countries  to  take  refuge  cUc where. ,  from  all  thefe*^ 
authorities  Monf.  Charlevoix  concluiles^  that  there  ig 
at  leail  room  to  conje^^ure  that  mord  than  one  nation 
in  America  had  a  Scythian  or  'I'artariah  original. 

He  iiniiliqs  his  remarks  on  thaMpithors  he  has  quot- 
ed, by  the  fvllowing  obfervations^  It  appears  to  me 
that  thi&co«ovcrfy  may  be  reduced  to  the  two  fol- 
lowing articws;  firft,  how  the  new  world  might 
h^ve  been  peopled  i  and  fecondly,  by  whom,  and  by 
what^ltieans  ithasbeen  pe^l^di      -t^ 

Nothing,  he  aiTerts,  ni^|^|k;j^je  eafily  anfwered 
than  the  hrit,  America  U]|w;  have  been  peopled  as 
the  three  other  parts  of  the  wt)rld  have  been.  *itMa- 
ny  diihculties  have  been  formed  on  this  fubje£t,.  which 
have  been  tlcemed  infplva^le,  but  which  are  far  from 
being  fo.  The  inhabit«nt»j|)f  both  Hemifpheres  arc 
certainly  the  defcendants  of  the  fame  father.;  the 
common  parent  of  mankind  r^eived  an  exprefs 
command  from  Heaven  to  people  the:,  i^le  world, 
and  accordingly  it  has  been^jeo^ed*    *" 

To  bring  this  about  it  was  nec<|i^ry  to  Q/ercomc 
all  difliculties  that  lay  in  the  way,  and  Hiey  have 
been  got  over.  Were  thefe  difficulties  greater  with 
refpe<^  to  peopling  the  extremities  of  Afia,  Africa,' 
and  Europe,  or  the  tranfporting  men  into  th|B  iflands 
which  lie  at  a  confiderable  diftance  from  thoie  conti- 
nents, than  topafs  over  into  America  ?  certainly  not. 

Navigation,  which  has  arrived  at  fo  great  perfec- 
tion within  thefe  three  or  fojur  centuries,  might  pof- 
fibly  have  been  more  perfeoc  in  thofe^|?%  ages  than 
at  this  day.  Who  can  l)#lieve  that^^li  and  his 
immediate  defcendants  knew  Icfs  of  this  art  than  we 
do  ?  That  the  builder  and  pilot  of  the  largeft  (hip 
that  ever  was,  a  fhip  that  was  formed  to  traverfe  an 
unbounded  ocean,  and  hadfo  many  Ihoarsind  quick- 
iands  to  guard  againfl,  {houldbe  ignorant  of,  or 
ihpuld  not  jlt^ye  communicated  to  thofe  of  his  defcen- 
-»  dants 


CARVilR'*  TRAVELS. 


11.5 


d^ntrwho  furvived  him^  and' by  whofc  means-he  wa» 
to  execute  thc-Qrdfcrof  the  Oteat  Creator  v  I  fay, 
who  can  believe  life  (hould  not  have  communicated  to. 
them  the  art  of '(ailing  upon  an  ocean,  whick  wa& 
not  only  more  calm  and  ^  pacific,  but  at  the  fame  time 
confined  within  ilS^jndenk  limits  ? 

Admitting  this,  hoW  eafy  is  it  to  pafjkcxclufive  of 
the  paifage  alre?.dy  <itefcribed,  by  land  ^|j||fn  the  coai^: 
of  Africa  to  Brazil,  from  the  Canaries  to  the  Weftern 
Iflands,  and  froin  them  to  the  Antiles  ?  From  the  Bri- 
tifh  Iflesi  or  the  cos^  ^^rance,  to  Newfoundland, 
the  pafTage  is  neithoro^^r  difficult' ;  I  might  fay 
as  much  of  that  from' ^m4  to  Japan;  fyom  Japan, or 
the#hiUppines,  to  th^Ifles  Mariannes ;  and  from 
thence  to  Mexico.  >. 

There  are  iflands  at  a  cblifideraWe  diftance  from 
the  continent  of  Afia,  where  we  have  not  been  fur- 
prifed  to  find  inhabitants,  why  then  fhould  we  won- 
der to  meet  with  peiEy^fe  in  Amesica  !  Nor  can  it  be 
imagined  th^he  grandfons  of  Noah,  when  they  were 
obliged  to  iqjijirate,  a^d'^read  themfelves  in  confor- 
mity to  th^  defi^  of  God,  over  the  whole  earth, 
fhould  Q>|^  it  abfdlutely  impoflible  to  people  almoft 
one  half  of  it, 

I  have  been  more  copious  in  my  extracts  from  this 
author  than  1  intended,  as  his  reafons  appears  to  be 
foiid,  and  mfny  of  his  obfervationsjuft.  From  this 
encomium,  howcv#i-,  I  muft  exclude  the  ftories  he 
has  inttoduced  of  the  Huron  and  Florid^n  women, 
which  I  think  I  might  venture  to  prenounce  fabulous, 

I  ihall  tjii^^dd,  tdf^ivi^  rny  readers  a  more  com- 
prehenlive^W  of  Monfietit  Charlevoix's  differtation, 
the  method  he  propofes  to  come^t  the  truth  of  what 
we  are  in  fearch  of. 

r-^hc  only  means  by  which  this  can  be  done,  he 
fays,  is  bi^cbmparingthe  language  of  the  Americans 
with  the  different  itatlons,  from  whence  we  might 
fuppofethey  Iravc  peri^natcd.     If  we  compare  the 

'"  former 


•■.* 


11^ 


CARVER'S  TRAV1ELS. 


*  vi  I 
■'*  t'ii--^Si'W 


former  with  thofe  words  that  are  conGdered  at  pH. 
mittvesy  it  might  poflibly  fet  ui  upon  feme  happy  dif. 
covery.  And  this  way  of  afccnding  to  the  original 
of  nations,  which  is  by  far  the  leafb  equivocal,  is  not 
fo  difficult  as  might  be  imaeined.  We  have  had, 
and  ftill  have,  travellers  and  i^Sonaries  who  have 
attained  the  languages  that  are  Ipokeii  in  all  the  pro- 
vinces of  th|i!.jiew  world  i  it  woiUd  only  be  neceilary 
to  make  a  colledion  of  their  granuners  and  vocabu- 
laries, and  to  collate  them  with  the  dead  and  living 
languages  of  the  old  worId»  t}^  pafs  for  originals, 
and  the  fimilarity  might  ^a^  Ixi  graced.  Even  tht 
different  dialc£ts,  in  fpite  of  ^c^  alterations  they  have 
undergone,  (lill  retain  enou^  of  the  motlier  tongue 
to  furnifh  confiderable  ^|d^ts. 

Any  enquiry  into  th^ianners,  cuftoms,  religion, 
or  traditions  of  the  Americans,  in  order  to  difcovcr 
by  that  means  their  origin,  he  thinks  would  prove 
fallacious.  A  difqi^ifition  of^that  kind,  he  oBferves, 
is  only  capable  of  producing  a  falfe  ligl^t^  more  likely 
to  dazzle,  and  to  make  us  wander  froitn  the  right 
path,  than  to  lead  us  with  certaintji^to  the  point  pro- 
pofed.  "'        ^, 

Ancient  traditions  are  effaced  from  the  minds  of 
fuch  as  either  have  not,  or  for  feveral  ages  have  been 
without  thofe  helps  that  are  neceilaTy  to  prefcrve 
them.  And  in  this  £ituation  is  full  0%  half  of  the 
world.  "New  events,  and  a  n^w  arrangement  of 
things,  give  rife  to  new  traditions,  which  efface  ^le 
former,  and  are  themfelvcs  effaced  in  turn.  After 
one  or  two  centuries  have  paCed,  the|p|.no  longer  re- 
main any  traces  of  the  iitft  tradition'^ ;  and  thus  we 
are  involved  in  a  ftate  of  uncertainty.  •'* 

He  concludes  with  the  following  remarks,  among 
many  others.  Unfbrefeen  accidents,  tempefts,  aiq^ 
fhipwrecks,  have  certainly  contributed  logpieople  eve- 
ry habitable  part  qi  the  world  :  a|id  ought^ve  to  won- 
der after  this,  at  perceiving  (certain  refemblapces,  both 

of 


CARVKR's  TRAVELS. 


117 


of  perfons  and  manners  hetween^nations  that  are  mod 
remote  from  each  other,  when  we  find  fuch  a  differ- 
ence between  thofe  that  border  on  one  another  ?  As 
we  are  deflltute  of  hfftorical  monumentsy  there  i» 
nothings  I  repeat  it,  but  a  knowledge  of  the  primi- 
tive languages  that,  Is  capable  of  throwing  any  light 
upon  theie  clouds  of  impenetrable  darknefs. 

By  this  enquiry  we  Ihould  at  leait  beifttisfied,  a- 
mong  that  prodigious  number  of  various  nations  in- 
habiting America^  and  differing  fo  much  in  languages 
from  each  other;  wlllth  lire  thofe  who  make  ufe  of 
words  totally  and  a>itireh||^ipferent  from  thofe  of  the 
old  world,  and"  who  66t^qntntly  mull  be  reckoned 
to  hAb  paired  over  to  Ainerica  in  the  earlieil^'ages, 
9nd  thoie,  who,  from  the  atf|p>logy  of  their  language 
with  fuch  as  are  at  prefenttPa  in  the  three  orher 
parts  of  the  globe,  leave  room  to  judge  that  tlieir 
migTatidn  has  been  more  recent,  and  which  ought 
to  pe  attributed  to  fliipwrecks,  o»  to  fome  accident 
fimilar  to  th(^.  which  have  been  fpoken  of  in  the 
courfe  of  thip!%reatife. 

I  fhall  |94y  iiiithe  opinion  of  one  author  more» 
before  ^j^0^  ^^  fentiments  on  ike  fubje6l,  and 
that  is  ot  jimes  Adair,  £fq.  who  refided  forty  years 
among  th'^  Indians,  and  publiflied  ^e  hiftoij  of  them 
ill  the  year  ij^*  In  his  learned  and  fyitematical 
h^ory  of  thUe  nations,  inhabiting  the  weitem  parts 
of  the  moit  fouthernrof  the  American  colonics}  this 
gentielfi^n  without  hefitation  pronounces  that  the 
Amer^an  Ab|pgine%^  t^fcended  from  the  Ifrael- 
ites,  e^her^il^ift  th^^were  a  maritime  power,  or 
fopn  after  tlfeir  general  captivity^  ^' 

*'  Thifi^  defcent  he  endeavours  -to  prove  from  their 
r^liious  rites,  their  civil  and  martial  cuiloms,  their 
liphriages,  their  funeral  ceremonies,  their  manners, 
laitguage,  li^itions,  and  from  a  variety  of  other  par- 
ticulars. And  fo  complete  is  his  convi6lion  on  this 
hcad^  that  lie  fancies  he  Jnds  a  perfe^  and  indifpuu- 

ble 


m 


V  '  t 


'  *" 


I 


'» ii'i 


% 


w 


r  III 


M» 


CARVER'S  TRAVEL*. 


I M 


*'*h\M 

f 

'''^■■?§H 

'  -9^  ff^l 

^f.\r  Ik  1  jjHB 

Wm 

ble  AmiHtudc  in  eaclw^  Through  all  theie  I  have  not 
time'^  to  follow  hiin,  and  /hall  therefore  only  give  a 
few  extra<^s  to  fhow  on  what  foundation  he  builds 
his  conje£lures»  and  what  deg^e  of  credit  he  is  cn« 
titled  to  i^n  this  point. 

He  begins  wiui  obfervingy  that  J^otigh  fonne  have 
fuppofcd  t!ie  Americans  to  be  del&tided  from  the 
Chinefe,  yet  neither  their  reiig^*  laws,  nor  cuftoms 
agree  in  the  Icaft  with  thofe  of  the  Chinefe  )  which 
futiticiently  proves  thaf  they  are  noi^f  this  line.  £c- 
i\de$,7ti  our  >eft  ihips  are  ii9V^*liiolt~haif  a  year  in 
fjiHng  for  Chiaa  (our  3U^A4i^P^.I*ot  here  rtcoUe£t 
that  this  is  from  a  highiiomjinrUtif«49y ^icrofs  the 
Line,  »nd  thenback  agatagrettly  to  die  m>rtMird 
of  it|  and  not  dire£^ly  ^te^^'^^^^  PftcifilS  Ocean,  for 
only  one  hundred  and  (SiPen  degrees)  or  froRii  thence 
to  Europe,  it  is  "very  unlikely  they  ihould  attempt  fuch  < 
dayigcrou|  difcoveries,with  their,  fi^pofed^  fmall  vef-  ' 
fdsjagainft  rapid  currents,  and'  t  d^k  and  (ickly 
Monfoons.    .  .       .        .. 

He  further  .remarks,  that  this  isjniole 
improbable,  as  fto'e  is  reafon  to  M^^ 
tion  wa!s ui^c(pn|bted ^ith  the  qieof  ^[ 
to  direA  their  courfe.,  Chim»  he  fa^s^  irf 
thoufa»d  jpik!lidi(hi^  froin  the  American  cotitinent, 
which  is  twice  as  rar  as  acrofs  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 
And  we  are  not  informed  by  any  anciel^  writer  of 
tlieir  ma^time  ikilij  or  fo  mucn  as  any  inclbiation 
that  way,  beiides  fmall  coafting  voyages.  The  viinds 
blew  likewife,  with  little  varia^^  froq^ail  tp^clt 
within  the  latitudes  thirty  a^id^d,  nc^^^nd  foiith; 
and  therefore  thefe  could  Hi$t  drive  the^^oitthc  A- 
merican  cOaft,  it  lying  ^ireftly  contrary  tp'  fiuih  st, 
courfe.  '^ 

Neither  could  perfons,  according  tb  thSt  writers  a«fc 
coimt,  fail  to  America  from  the  north  byi^pe  vi^ay  of 
Tartary  or  ancient  Scythia ;  that,  fron*si|j|  fituation, 
never  having  been  or  can  be  a  maritime  powet  i  and 

^  ,  m         *^  ---it"  • 


rticularly 
this  na- 
i-ftone 
eighty 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


M 
119 


It  IS  utterly  impracticable^  liiTays,  for  any  to  come 
IP  America  by  fca  from  tli^t  quarter.  .  Befides,  the 
remaining-  ttacc%  oL  their  religious  ceremowies  and 
civil  and  idartial  cultoms  are  quite  oppoilte  to  the 
like  teftigcs  of  tj^e^OId  Scythians.  Even  91  the  mo- 
derate northern1(3imateft  there  is  noi  to  be  (een  the 
lead  trace  of  any  ancient  (lately  buildings,  or  of  any 
thick  fettlementSf  as  are  faid  to  remain  in  the  lefs 
healthy  regions  of  Peru  and  Mexico.  And  fcveral 
of  the  Indian  nitons  a^Ture  us,  that  they  crofTed  tfie 
^iflifippi  before  w^  niade  their  ttrcfent  northern 
fettlements  ;  wKu|ii^ijpbMeQed  witn  the  former  ar- 
guments, he  con  cmdefi  will  fufficicntly  explode  that 
weak  opinion  of  the  American  Aborigines  being  li- 
neally'^fefcend^d  from  iMMTartars  or  ancient  8cy« 
rfiian^.  ^^ 

Mr.  Affair's  r^afons  for  fuppofing  that  the  Ameri- 
cans derive  tljeir  origin  fi-om  the  Jews  aje, 

Firft,  httznic  tliey  are  divided  into  tribes,  and 
have  chiefii  over  them  as  the  Kraelites  had. 

Secondly,  Jb^u^*^j  *8  ^7  *  ftn£l  permanent  divine 
precejKMi(j(|9l|>rew  nation  wem  ordered  to  wor- 
fliipjPPetufalem,  Jehovab  the  troc  and  living  God< 
fo  do  the  Indians,  ftiling  hini  Yohcwah.  The  an- 
cient Heathens,  he  adds,  it  is  well  knoM^n  worfliip- 
ped  a  pluif^lity  of  gods,  but  Ihe  Indians  pay  their  re- 
Ugious  devoirs  to  the  Great  bepeficerit  f^jpreme  holy 
Spirit  of  Fire,,  vv^ho  refidcs  as  they  think  above  the 
ciQuds,  and  on  earth  alfo  with  unpoluted  people. 
^Iftiey  pay  no  aJMjItioit  to  images,  or  to  dead  per- 
fons,  nether  to  tne  celcftial  luminaries,  to  evil  fpirits, 
nor  j^  any  created  beings  whatever. 

Thirdly,  becaufe,  ^grcable  to  the  theocracy  or  di- 
vine government  of  Ifrael,  the  Indians  think  tlfe  dei- 
ty to  Mihe  immediate  head  of  their  ftate. 

Fo^&ly,  becaufe,  as  the  Jews  believe  in  the  min- 
iftratiolfbf  angels,  the  Indians  alfo  believe  that  the 
higher  regions  are  inhabited  by  good  fpirits. 
'         '  Fifthly, 


Ml': 


Mi 


'^^H 


i  if 


'HJf 


}'■,  -i 


'ik.  V 


p.ij'^.mi)  '■ 


''t^StS 


■'  '-r^ 


l"'^ 


f:'  I 


129 


'CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


Fifthly,  becaufe  tfie  Indian  language  and  dialcfls 
appear  to  have  the  very  idiom  and  genius  of  the  He- 
brew. There  words  and  fentences  being  cxpreflive, 
concife,  emphatical,  fonorous^  and  bold  ;  and  often, 
both  Jo^  letters,  and  Signification,  are  fynonimous 
with  the  Hebrew  language. 

Sixthly,  becaufe  diey  count  dieir  time  after  the 
manner  of  the  Hebrews. 

Seventhly,  becaufe  in  conformity  to,  or  after  the 
manner  of  the  Jews,  they  have  their  prophets,  high- 
prieils,  and  other  religious  orders. 

Eighthly,  becaufe  their  feftivals,  fafts,  and  religi- 
ous  rites  have  a  great  refembl^nce  to  thofe  of  & 
Hebrews. 

Ninthly,  becaufe  the  J[ndiane,  before  they  go  to 
war,  have  many  prepafatory  cef^monies  of  purifica- 
tion and  Rafting,  like  what  is  recorded  of  the  Ifraelites. 

Tenthly,  becaufe  the  fame  talie  for  ornaments,  and 
the  fame  kind  are  made  ufe  of  by  the  Indians,  as  by 
the  Hebrews. 

Thefe  and  many  other  arguments  of  a  fimilar  na- 
ture, Mr.  Ads^  brings  in  fupport,  of  ,lu$  favourite 
fyflem  ;  but  tniould  imagine,  that  if  thc^dians  are 
really  derived  from  the  Hebrew^,  among  their  reli- 
gious ceremisbies,  o|i  which  he  chiefly  feems  to  build 
his  hypothefis,  the  principal,  that  of  circumciiion, 
would  never  have  been  laid  alide,  and  its  very  re- 
membrance obliterated.  '" 

Thus  numerous  and  diverfe  are"  the  opinions  of 
thofe  who  have  hitherto  writt^on  this  fubjeft  !  I 
fhall  not  however,  either endeav6ur  to  reconcile  them, 
or  to  point  out  the  errors  of  each,  but  proceed  to 
give  my  own  fentiments  on  the  origin  of  the  Amer- 
icans ;  which  are  founded  on  conclufions  drawn 
from  the  moft  rational  arguments  of  the  writers  I 
have  mentioned,  and  from  my  own  obfervilfons  ;  the 
confiftency  of  thefe  I  fliall  leave  to  the  jiidgment  of 
my  Readers. 

The 


cAUVER's  travels; 


121 


The  better  to  introduce  my  conjectures  on  this 
head,  it  is  neceflary  firft  to  afcertain  the  diftance  be- 
fA^een  America  ?nd  thofe  parts  of  the  habitable  globe 
l^at  approach  neareft  to  it.^ 

The  Continent  of  America,  as  far  as  we  can  judge 
from  all  theicfe-Tches  that  have  been  made  near  the 
poles,  appears  to  be  entirely  feparated  from  the  other 
fiuartcrs  of  the  world.  That  part  of  Europe  which, 
approaches  neareft  to  it,  is  the  coaft  of  Greenland, 
lyingin  about  fcvcnty  degrees  of  north  la'titude  ;  and 
which  reaches  within  twelve  degreec  of  the^coaft  of 
Labrador,  fituated  on  the  north-eaft  borders  of  this 
continent.  The  coaft  of  Guinea  is  the  neareft  part 
rtf  Africa ;  which  lies  about  eighteen  hundred  and 
fixty  miles  north-eaft  from  the  Brazils.  The  moil# 
eaftern  coaft  of  Afia,  which  extends  to  the  Korean 
Sea  on  the  north  of  China,  projeOis  north-eaft  through 
eaftern  Tartary  and  Kamfchatka  to  Siberia,  in  about 
fixty  degrees  of  north  latitude.  Towards  which  the 
weftern  coaft s  of  America,  from  California  to  the 
Straits  of  A^nnian,  extend  nearly  north- weft,  and  lie 
Iri  about  forty-fix  degrees  of  the  fame  latitude. 

Whether  the  Continent  of  America  ftretches  any- 
farther  liorth  then  thefe  ftrails,  and  joins  tp  the  eaO. 
em  parts  of  Afia,  agreeable  to  what  has  been  aflerted 
by  fome  of  the  writers  I  have  quoted,  or  whether  the 
lands  that  have  been  difcovered  in  the  intermediate 
parts  are  only  an  archipelago  of  iflands,  verging  to- 
wanls  the  oppofite  continent,  is  not  yet  afcertained. 

It  being,  however,  cert;jin  that  there  are  many  con- 
fiderable  i Hands  which  lie  between  the  extrcmiiies 
of  Afia  ^nd  America,  viz.  Japon,  Yefo  or  Jedfo,  Ga- 
nia's  h^PfiXf  Behring's  Illc,  with  many  others  difco- 
vered by  Tfchirikow,  and  befidos  thefe,  fromjifty 
de^Tees  north, there  appearing  fo  be  a  chiilcr  of  ili- 
andsr^f  at  reach  as  f.ir  as  Siberia,  it  is  prob.ibie  fion; 
their  proximity  to  America,  that  it  received  irt;  iirft 
inhabitants  from  them. 

L        '  Thi9 


ii.'.    f 


*s 


■i  " 


•A.      (»- 


122 


CARVER'S  TRAVI'XS. 


'in' 

•1,  . 

1 

:;:j-' 

1  >J 

^SJIi 

^''  -     ' 

t'** 

fl: 

ifil 

ij 

i'tl'l 

•^IM*' 

,f  ? 

ll'lj 

til' 

W 

pill 

1 

(.if 

11 

-'lli'l 

1'"  > 

'( ,■ 

1 

jjj«| 

1- 

Jt,  ? 

1 

■^^» 

!-i 

I4R 

ii,,'. 

:-mft 

i;  J 

'J^iH 

III 

flH 

ij! 

'i.;S| 

'J 

j  4Kpdi| 

3Vi| 

■'•■  ""^^li 

P„| 

'   'j'  "'l  ■  1 1^ 

W^J,'  ij 

'^>  ,^      ^SBt 

Hi 

■  'i^rM 

ffili 

'  '''1  iw 

■  !' 

'J-,-  jK^ 

.  !i[ 

o4  '1 

I.:^ 

:A  i;f 

Thi^  Conclufion  is  the  nioft  rational!  am  qVie  to 
<!raw,  fuppofing  that  iince  the  Aboi^gines  got  foot- 
ing on  this  continent,  no  extraprdinary  or  fudden 
change  in  the  pcfition  or  furfacc  of  it  has  taken  place 
from  inundations,  earthquakes,  or  any  revolutions  of 
the  earth  that  we  are  at  pr^fent  unacquainted  with. 

To  nie  it  appears  highly  improbable  that  it  fliould 
have  been  peopled  from  different  quarters,  acrofs  the 
Ocean,  as  others  have  afTerted.  From  the  fize  of  the 
ihips  made  ufe  of  in  thcfe  early  ages,  and  the  want 
of  the  compafs,  it  cannot  be  fuppofed  that  any  mari- 
time nation  w^uld  by  choice  venture  over  the  unfa- 
thomable ocean,  in  fearch  of  diflant  continents.  Had 
this  however  becif  attempted,  or  had  America  been 
Uril  accidentally  peopled  from^fliip.s  freighted  with 
pailbngers  of  both  fexes,  vv^hich  were  driven  by  itrong 
eafterly  winds  acrofs  the  Atlantic,  thcfe  fettlers  mutt 
liave  retained  fome  traces  of  the  language  of  the 
country  from  whence  thpy  migrated  ;  and  this  fmce 
the  difcovery  of  it  by  the  Europeans  muft  have  been 
made  put.  It  alfo  appears  extraordinary  that  feveral 
of  thefe  accidental  migrations,  as  allowed  by  fome, 
and  thefe  from  different  parts,  fliould  have  taken 
place. 

Upon  the  whole,  after  the  mofi;  critical  enquiries, 
and  the  maturelt  deliberation,  I  am  of  opinion,  that 
America  received  its  firlt  inhabitants  from  the  north- 
cafl,  by  way  of  the  great  Archipelago  jud  mentioned, 
und  from  thefe  alone.  But  tliis  might  have  been  ef- 
fected at  different  times,  ana  from  various  parts: 
from  Tartary,  China,  Japon,  or  Kamfchatka,  the  in- 
habitants of  thefe  places  rcfembling  each  other  in 
color,  features,  and  fli.ipe ,  and  wlio,  before  fome  of 
them  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  arts  and  fciences, 
might  have  likewufe  refembled  each  other  in  their  man- 
ners, cullomsj  religion,  and  language.  \ 

Tlic  only  difference  between  the  Chinefj  nation  and 
the  Tartars  lies  in  the  cultivated  fta*"?  of  the  one,  and 

.the 


CARVER-s  TRAVELS.- 


12^3 


{}ie  unpoliflietl  fituation  of  others.  The  formcv  have 
become  a  coiwercial  people,  and  dwell  in  houtes 
formed  into  regular  towns  and  cities ;  the  latter  live 
chiefly  in  tents,  and  rove  about  in  different  hordes, 
without  any  fixed  abode.  Nor  can  the  long  and 
bloody  wars  thefe  tvi'O  nations  have  been  engaged  in, 
exterminate  their  hereditary  fimilitude.  1  he  prefcnt 
family  of  the  Chinefe  titipercrs  is  of  Tartarian  ex- 
traction ;  and  if  they  w^ere  not  fenfible  of  fonie  claini 
bcfide  that  of  conquefl,  fo  numerous  a  people  would 
fcarcely  fit  quiet  under  the  dominion  of  ftrangers. 

It"  is  very  evident  that  fome  of  the  manners  and 
Cuftoms  of  the  American  Indians  rel'emble  thofe  of 
the  Tartars  ;  and  I  make  no  doubt  but  that  in  fonic 
future  aera,  ar.d  llus  not  ■^  rery  dillant  one,  it  nil! 
be  reduced  to  a  c#tainty,  that  during  fome  of  the 
•^rvars  between  the  Tartars  and  the  Chinefe,  a  part 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  northern  provinces  were 
driven  from  their  native  country,  and  took  refuge  ia 
fome  of  the  ifles  before-mentioned,  and  from  tliencc 
found  their  way  into  America.  At  difilrcnt  periods 
each  nation  might  prove  victorious,  and  the  conquer- 
.cd  by  turns  fly  before  tlieir  comjuerors ;  and  from 
hence  might  arife  the  fimilitude  of  the  Indians  to  uU 
thefe  people,  and  that  animofity  which  exifts  between 
fo  many  of  their  tribes. 

It  appears  plainly  to  me  that  a  great  fimilarity  be- 
tween the  Indians  and  Chinefe  is  confpicuous  in  that 
particular  cuftom  of  fliaving  or  plucking  off  the  hair, 
and  leaving. only  a  fmali  tuft  on  the  crown  cf  th^ 
head.  This  mode  is  faid  to  have  been  enjoined  by 
.the  Tartarian  emperorson  their  accefllon  to  the  throne 
of  China,  and  confequently  is  a  farther  proof  that  this 
cuflom  was  in  ufe  among  the  Tartars  ;  to  whom  as 
well  as  the  Chinefe,  the  Amerlcms  migiit  be  indebt- 
ed for  it. 

Many  words  alfo  are  ufed  both  by  the  Chinefe  and 
Indians,  which  have  a  refemblance  to  each  other,  not 

only 


ft;! 


124 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i'Vi 


m 

',^1; 


only  in  their  found,  but  their  fignification.  TF»e 
Chinefe  call  a  Have,  fhungo  j  and  the  Naudoweffie 
Indians,  whofe  language,  from  their  little  intercourfc 
with  the  Europeans,  is  the  leaft  corrupted,  term  a 
dog,  ihungulli.  The  former  denominate  one  fpecies 
of  their  tea,  flioufong  ;  the  latter  call  their  tobacco 
fhoufaflau.  Many  other  of  thfe  words  ufed  by  the 
Indians  contain  the  fyllables  che,  chaw,  and  chu, 
after  the  dialett  of  the  Ghinefe. 

There  probably  might  be  found  a  fimilar  conne> 
tion  between  the  language  of  the  Tartars  and  the 
American  Aborigines,  were  we  as  well  acquainted 
with  it  as  we  are,  from  a  commercial  intercouifc, 
with  that  of  the  Chinefe. 

I  am  confirmed  in  thefe  conje£hires,  by  the  ac- 
counts of  Kamfchatka,  publiflied  a  few  years  ago  by 
order  of  the  Emprefs  of  Ruflia.  The  author  of  which 
fays,  that  the  Tea-  which  divides  that  peninfula  from 
America  is  full  of  iflands  *,  and  that  the  diftance  be- 
tween Tfchukotlkoi-Nofs,  a  promontory  which  lies 
at  the  cailcrn  extremity  of  that  country,  and  the 
coaft  of  America,  is  not  more  than  two  decrees  and 
a  half  of  a  great  circle.  He  further  fays,  that  there 
is  the  greateft  reafon  to  fuppofe  that  Afia  and  Ame- 
rica once  joined  at  this  place,  as  the  coaft^of  both 
continents  appear  to  have  been  broken  into  capes  and 
bays,  which  anfwer  each  other  j  more  efpecially  as 
the  inhabitants  of  this  part  of  both  refemble  eacJi 
other  in  their  perfons,  habits,  cuftoms,  and  food. 
Their  language,  indeed,  heobferves,  does  net  appear 
to  be  the  l^mie,  but  then  the  inhabitants  of  eachdif- 
tri£l  in  Kamfchatka  fpeak  a  language  as  different  from 
each  other,  as  from  that  fpokcn  on  the  oppofite  coaft. 
Tiiefe  obfervations,  to  which  he  adds,  the  fimilarity 
of  the  bo.tts  of  the  inhabitants  of  each  coaft,  and  a 
remark  that  the  natives  of  this  part  of  America  are 
wholly  ftrangers  to  wine  and  tobacco,  which  he  looks 
upon  as  a  proof  that  they  have  as  yet  had  no  coni- 

munication 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


125 


municatlon  with  the  natives  of  Europe,  he  lays,  a- 
mount  to  little  lefs  than  n  demonilration  that  Ame- 
rica was  peopled  from  this  part  of  Aiia. 

The  limits  of  my  present  undertaking  will  not  per- 
mit me  to  dwell  any  longer  on  this  fubjecSl:,  or  to  enu- 
jnerate  any  other  proofs  in  favour  of  my  hypothcfie. 
I  am>  hcAvever,  fo  thoroughly  convinced  of  the  cer- 
tainty of  it,  and  fo  defirous  have  I  been  to  obtain 
every  teftimony  which  can  be  procured  in  its  fupport, 
that  I  once  made  an  offer  to  a  private  fociety  of  gen- 
demen,  who  were  curious  in  fuch  refearches,  and  to 
whom  I  had  communicated  my  fentiments  on  this 
point,  that  I  would  undertake  a  journey,  on  receiv- 
ing fuch  fupplies  as  were.  xlfuF,  through  the  no^th- 
ealc  parts  of  Eurc^  and  Afia  to  the  interior  parts  or 
America,  and  from  thence  to  England^  making,  as 
I  proceeded,  fuch  obfervations  both  on  the  languages 
and  manners  ef  the  people  with  -whom  I  lliould  be 
converfant,  as^mtght  tend  to  illuftrate  the  doctrine  I 
have  here  laid  ilown,  and  to  fdtisfy  the  curlofity  of 
the  learned  or  inquisitive  :  but  as  this  propofal  wa-j 
judged  rather  to  ret^uire  a  national  than  a  private 
iiipport,  it  was  not  carried  into  execution. 

I  am  happy  to  find,  finee  I  formed  the  foregoing^ 
eoncIufi'Dns,  that  tliey  correfpond  with  the  fentimenti; 
of  that  great  and  learned  hiftorian,  Dodlor  Robert- 
fon ;  and  though  with  him,  I  acknowledge  that  the 
iaveftigation,  from  its  nature,  is  fo  obfcure  and  intri- 
cate, that  the  conjectures  I  have  made  can  only  bo 
confidered  as  conje<Llure8,  and  not  indifputable  con- 
clufions,  yet  they  carry  with  them  a  greater  degree 
of  probability  than  the  fuppoHtions  of  thofc  who  af- 
lert  that  this  continent  was  peopled  from  another 
qu;nter. 

One  of  the  Doiflor's  quotations  from  the  Journals 
of  Behrlng  and  Tfchirikow,  who  failed  IVom  Kami- 
chatka,.  about  the  year  1741,  in  queft  of  the  New 
World,  appears  to  carry  great  weight  whh  it,  and  ta 

L  2.  afford 


fiv   :■';  tr      7  ■■  1;'.' 


I'  !■■   ;„  1'^' 


v^ 


m: 


'!■.: 


126 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i# 


m 


afFord  our  conclufions  firm  fupport :  *<  Thefe  com» 
manders  having  ftiaped  their  courfe  towards  the  eaft, 
difcovered  land,  which  to  them 'appeared  to  be  pari: 
of  the  American  continent ;  and  according  to  their 
obfervations,  it  fcems  to  be  fituated  within  a  few  de- 
grees of  the  north-well  coaft  of  CiHfornia.  They 
had  there  fome  intercourfe  with  the  inhabitants,  who 
feemed  to  them  to  refemble  the  North-Americans  j 
as  they  prefented  to  the  Ruflians  the  Calumet  or  Pipe 
of  Peace,  which  is  a  fymbol  of  friendship  univerfal 
among  the  people  of  North-America,  and  an  ufage 
of  arbitrary  inftitution  peculiar  to  them." 

One  of  this  incomparable  writer's  own  arguments 
m  fupport  of  his  hypothefis,  is  alfo  urged  with  great 
-judgment,  and  appears  to  be  neaily  conclufive.     He 
Jays,  "  We  may  lay  it  down  as  a  certain  principle  in 
this  enquiry,  that  America  was  not  peopled  by  any 
nation  of  the  ancient  continent,  which  «had  made  con- 
iiderable  progrefs  in  civilization.    Jl'hc  inhabitants  of 
tlie  New  V^'^orld  were  in  a  ftate  of Tociety  fo  extreme- 
ly rude,  a§  to  be  unacquainted  with  thofe  ails  which 
are  the  firft  eflays  of  human  ingenuity  in  its  advance 
towards  improvement.     Even  the  oioft  cultivated  na- 
tions of  America  were  Hangers  to  many   of  thofe 
fimple  inventions,  which  were  almoft   coeval  with 
fociety  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  and  were  known 
in  the  earlieft  periods  of  civil  life.     From  this  it  is 
jnanifeft  that  the  tribes  which  originally  migrated  to 
America,  came  off  from  nations  which  muft  have 
been  no  \c{k  barbarous'  than  their  poflerity,    at  the 
time  when  they  were  firft  difcovered  by  the  Euro- 
peans.     If  ever  the  ufe  of  iron  had  been  known  to 
the  lavages  of  America,   or  to  their  progenitors,  if 
ever  they  had  employed  a  plough,  a  loom,  or  a  forge, 
the  utility  of  thefe  inventions  would  have  preferved 
them,  and  it  is  impolhble  Uiat  they  lliould  have  been 
abandoned  or  forgotten." 

CHAPTER'  II. 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i?,7 


CHAPTER    11. 

OF  rji£iJR  PERSONS,  DRESS,  ^c. 


r  ROM  the  firft  fettlement  of  the  French  in 
Canada,  to  the  conqucft  of  it  by  the  Englifh  in  1 760, 
feveral  of  that  nation,  who  had  travelled  into  tlie 
interior  parts  of  North  America,  either  to  trade  with 
the  Indians,  or  to  endeavour  to  make  converts  of 
them,  have  publiflied  accounts  of  their  cuftoms, 
manners,  &c. 

The  principal  of  thefe  are  Father  Louis  Hennipin, 
Monf.  Charlevoix,  and  the  Baron  Le  Hontan*  The 
firft,  many  years  ago,  publiflied  fome  very  judicious 
remarks,  which  he  waj  the  better  enabled  totlo^by 
the  afliftance  he  received  from  the  maps  and  diaries 
of  the  unfortunate  Mi  De  la  Salle,  who  wa?  aflafli- 
nated  vvhllll  he  was  on  his  travels,  by  fome  of  his 
own  party.  That  gentleman's  journals  falling  into 
Father  Hennipin's  hand,  he  was  enabled  by  them  to 
publifli  many  interefting  particulars  relative  to  the 
Indians.  But  in  fome  refpe^ls  he  fell  very  fhort  of 
that  knowledge  which  it  was  in  his  power  to  have 
attained  from  his  long  refidence  among  them.  Nor 
was  he  aUvays  (as  has  been  already  obfervedj  exa<5l: 
in  his  calculations,  or  juft  in  the  intelligence  he  has 
given  us. 

Tiie  accounts  publiflied  by  the  other  two,  part;v:u- 
brly  thofe  :jf  Ch.arievoix,  are  ve^  y  erroneous  in  the 
geographical  piu  ts,  and  many  of  the  ftories  Lold  by 
the  i^^arofj  arc  iiiere  d'..luficns. 


'SonijC  of  ti.c 
'tlicfe  parr      ' 
"few,  if  :i .     .  . 


•  *i  Ail 


,.^l.i 


of'    ii- 


"iO 


^vho  her'?toforetrav(.'.ied  into 

it  ten  on  tiiis  fubjc£V      oxj^i  as 

•    Ii,;vsi,oeen  iranfki.dinto 

raiity  uf  ri::»iif'rs  are 

not 


o^*'^' 


n 


f- 


'  m 


M 


fff 


CARt^KR's  TRAVELS. 


I.HKj 

t^i^dr^^ 

m 

KiK 

ilMS 

H  wS. 

.Sm 

^Br   '^'  iKb^ 

'  ^vkyM 

'^B^ffi 

PM:;         .lli 

l^:il^^^H 

^■ij^^KB 

1  H'l  "^a^wrB 

1  ^^^^^^^Hxi^H 

l||dfflH 

;-l||:jf:^^n^MB 

'  g-^iSi«i 

'^M^BV 

J^hI] 

''fl^Hl^^^fl' 

1 

not  benefited  by  them  ;  and,  indeed,  had  this  been 
done  they  would  have  reaped  but  few  advantages 
from  them,  as  they  have  chi(^fly  confined  their  obfer- 
vations  to  the  religious  principles  of  the  favages,  and 
the  fteps  taken  for  their  converfibn. 

Since  the  conqueft-  of  Canada,  fome"  of  our  own 
countrymen  who  have  lived  among  the  Indians,  and^ 
learned  their  language,  have  publilhed  their  obferva- 
tions  ;  however  as  their  travels  have  not  extended  to 
any  of  the  interior  parts  I  treat  of,  but  -have  only 
been  made  among  the  nations  that  border  on  our  fet- 
tlemcnts,  a  knowledge  of  the  genuine  and  uncontam- 
inated  cuftoms  and  manners  of  the  Indians  could 
not  have  been  acquired  by  them.- 

The  fouthern  tribes,  and  thofc  that  have  held  a. 
conflant  intercourfe  with  the  French  or  Enpllfli,  can- 
not  have  preferved  their  manners  or  their  cuiloms  in 
their  original  purity.  They  could  not  avoid  acqulr- 
in_g  the  vices  v/Ith  the  language  of  thofe  they  con« 
verfed  with  ;  and  the  frequent  intoxications  they  ex- 
perience^' .^irough  the  baneful  juices,  introduced  a- 
mong  them,  by  the  Europeans,  have  completed  a  to- 
tal alteration  in  their  characters.. 

In  fuch  as  thefe,  a  confufedly  medley  of  principles 
or  ufuageo  are  only  to  be  obferved  j  their  real  and 
unpoluted-  cuflom,  could  be  feen  among  thofe  na- 
tions alone  that  have  held  btft  little  communication 
"with  the  provinces.  Thefe  1  found,  in  the  north- 
well:  parts,  and  therefore  flatter  myfelf  that  I  am  a- 
ble  to  give  a  more  jufl  account  of  the  cuiloms  and 
manners  of  the  Indians,  in  their  ancient  purity,  than 
any  that  has  been  hitherto*  publifhed.  I  have  made 
obfervations  on  thirty  nations,  and  though  mcft  of 
thefe  have  differed  in  their  languages,  there  has  ap- 
pe:'red  a  great  fimilarity  in  their  manners,  and  from 
tliefc  have  I  endeavoured  to  extra<^  the  following  re- 
marks. ^  /  :• 

■:6  Ai 


CARVER'S  TRAVE-L5.- 


129 


tWs  been 
ivantagcs 
eir  obfer- 
ages,  and 

our  own 
ians,  and. 
■  obferva- 
tendedto 
ave  only 
n  our  fet- 
iicontam- 
ns  could. 

ve  held  a. 
^lifli,  can- 
ulloms  in 
id  acquir- 
hey  con- 
s  they  ex- 
)duced  a- 
eted  a  to- 

5rinciples 
real  and 
thofc  na- 
unication 
le  north- 
t  I  am  a- 
oms  and 
dty,  tlian 
avc  made 
melt  of 
e  has  ap- 
,nd  from 
jwing  rc- 


A's  I  do  not  propofe  to  give  a  regular  and  connect- 
ed fyflem  of  Indian  concerns,  but  only  to  relate  fuch 
particulars  of  their  manners,  cuft:om:>,^^c.asI  thought 
nioft  worthy  of  notice,  and  which  interfere  as  little  ?*i 
po^"  jle  with  the  accounts  given  by  oth-er  writer,  I 
nuiifc  beg  my  readers  to  excule  their  not  bei-  .ir* 
ranged  iyftematically,  or  treated  of  in  a  mor*^  copi* 
ou«  manner. 

The  Indian  nations  do  not  appear  to  me  to  diflVt 
fo  widely  in  their  make,  color,  or'conftitution  froivi 
each  other,  as  reprefented  by  fome  writers.  They 
are  in  general  flight  made,  rather  tall  and-ftraighr, 
and  you  feldom  fee  any  among  them  deformed,  their 
ftin  is  of  a  reddiili  or  copper  colciir;  their  eyes  .u ,; 
large  and  black,  and  their  hair  of  the  fame  hue,  lut 
very  rarely  is  it  curled  ;  they  have  good  teeth,  ani 
their  breath  is  as  fweet  as  the  air  they  draw  in; 
their  cheek  bones  rather  raifed,  but  more  fo  in  the 
women  than  the  men  ;.  and  the  former  are  not  quit* 
fo  tall  as  the  European  women,  however  you  fre- 
quently meet  with  good  faces  and  agreeable  perfons 
among  them,  although  they  are  more  inclined  to  h: 
fat  than  the  other  fex. 

I  ftiallnot  enter  into;  a  particular  enquiry  whether 
the  Indians  are  indebted  to  nature,  art  or  the  tempe-- 
rature  of  the  climate  for  the  color  offlieir  (kin,  not 
Ihall  I  quote  any  of  the  contradidlory  accounts  I 
have  read  on  this  rubje(n:  j  I  fliall  only  fay,  that  :t 
appears  to  me  to  be  the  tinOure  they  recei/ed  origin 
nally  from  the  hands  of  their  Cit^ator  ;  but  at  what 
period  the  variation  which  is  at  prefent  vifible,  both 
in  the  complexion  and  features  of  many  nations  took 
place,  at  what  time  the  European  whitenefs,  the  jetty 
hue  of  the  Africaii,  or  the  copper  caft  of  the  American 
were  given  them  5  which  was  the  original  color  of  the 
firft  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  or  which  might  be  el- 
teemed  the  moft  perfe<ft,,  I  will  pot  pretend  to  detep- 
mine.  ' '    .  Many 


Ti'jf  ' 

:l 

Wt   "    ..    •»!     ■'     ,!!i    M 

'It''    '                  '          H 

Si  m  i 

|i 

2'30 


CARVER'?  'I'RAVEHS. 


^i.    tU 


■m 


ins,  ev 


Many  writers  liuvc  afTcrted,  that  the  Indr. 
en  at  the  matured  period  of  their  cxillence,  are  only) 
furniflicd  with  hair  on  their  heads  ;  and  that  notvvith. 
Handing  the  profufion  with  which  that  part  is  cov- 
ered, thole  parts  \i'hich  among  the  inhabitants  of- 
other  chmates  are  ufually  the  feat  of  this  cxcrtfcencc, 
remain  tntlfely  free  from  it.  Even  Dr.  Rob'^.-rtfon, 
through  their  mificprefentations,  has  contribvxd  to 
propagate  the  error  •,  and  fuppofing  the  remark  juftly 
founded,  has  drawn  feveral  conclufions  from  it  rela- 
tive  to  the  habit  and  temperature  of  their  bodies, 
which  arc  confequently  invalid.  But  from  minute 
enquiries,  and  a  curious  infpe^tionjJam  able  to  de- 
clare (however  refpe£table  I  may  hold  the  authority 
of  thefe-hiftorians  in  other  points)  that  their  aflertiom 
are  erroneous,  and  proceeding  from  the  want  of  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  cuftoms  of  the  Indians. 

After  the  age  of  puberty,  their  bodies,  in  theirna- 
tural  ftate,  arc  covered  in  the  feme  manner  as  thofc 
of  the  Europeans.  The  men,  indeed,  efteem  a  beard 
very  unbecoming,  and  take  great  pains  to  get  rid  of 
it,  nor  is  there  any  ever  to  be  perceived  on  their  faces, 
except  when  they  grow  old  and  become  inattentive 
to  their  appearance.  Every  crinoue  efflorefcence  on 
the  other  parts  of  the  body  is  held  unfeemly  by  them, 
and  both  fexes  employ  much  time  in  their  extirpation. 

The  Naudoweflies,  and  the  remote  nations,  pluck 
them  out  with  bent  pieces  of  hard  wood,  formed  into 
a  kind  of  nippers :  whilfl  thofe  who  have  communi- 
cation with  Europeans  procure  from  them  wire,  which 
they  twill  into  a  Icrew  or  worm ;  applyin^^  this  to  the 
part,  they  prefs  the  rings  together,  and  with  a  fudden 
twitch  draw  out  all  the  hairs  that  are  inclofed  be- 
tween them. 

The  men  of  every  nation  differ  in  tlieir  drefs  very 
little  from  each  other,  except  thofe  who  trade  with 
the  Europeans  ;  thefe  exchange  thei^  furs  for  blank- 
ets, (hirts,  und  other  apparel,  which  they  wear  as 

much 


much  (o 
by  a  girti 
hroadcloi 
bodies, 
fail  eithc 
iniufteral 
blanket  I 
upper  fic 
one  banc 
ther ;  thi 
or  campi 
<;overing 

Thofe 
than  the 
except  fi 
a  crown 
-confider; 
feathers 
The  mai 
of  the  h 
other. 

They 
.efteem  a 
felves  w 
make  uf 
in  they 

The 
their  co 
both  the 
.to  fcpar 
{till  unt( 
gy  fubn 
twift  br 
.rim  in  a 
it  almoi 
ellecmc 

It  is 
.their  nci 


ans,  ev» 
ire  only) 
lotvviih- 

is  cov- 
tnnts  of- 
tfcc'.icc, 
>KTtfon, 
bv'-.cd  to 
rk  juftly 
1  it  rela- 

bodies, 

minute 
le  to  de- 
uthorlty 
liTertionj 
irant  of  a 
idians. 
their  na- 

as  thofc 
n  a  beard 
;et  rid  of 
eir  faces, 
I  attentive 
*€ence  on 
by  them, 
tiipation. 
ns,  pluck 
:med  into 
ommuni- 
re,  which 
his  to  the 
a  fudden 
lofed  be- 

Irefs  very 
•ade  with 
or  blank- 
wear  as 
much 


'8!^' 


CARVERls  TRiVVELS. 


n^ 


much  for  ornament  as  necefTity.  The  latter  faftcn 
by  a  girdle  around  their  waifts  about  half  a  yard  of 
broadcloth,  wiaich  covers  the  middle  parts  of  their 
bodies.  Thofe  who  wear  fliirts  never  make  them 
fail  either  at  the  wrift  or  collar ;  this  would  be  a  moft 
iniufterablc  confinement  to  th€m.  They  throw  their 
blanket  loofe  upon  their  fhoulders,  and  holding  tjie 
upper  fide  ov  it  by  the  two  corners,  with  a  knife  in 
one  hand,  and  a  tobacco  pouch,  pipe,  &c.  in  the  o- 
ther ;  thus  accoutred  they  walk  about  in  their  villages 
or  camps  :  but  iji  th^ir  dances  they  feldom  wear  this 
.covering. 

Thofe  among  the  tnen  who-wifli  to  appear  gayer 
than  the  reft,  pluck  from  their  heads  all  the  hair,' 
except  from  a  fpoton  the  top  of  it,  about  the  fize  of 
a  crown  piece,  where  it  is  permitted  to  grow  to  a 
conllderable  length  :  on  this  are  faflened  plumes  of 
feathers  of  various,  colors,  with/ilver  or  ivory  quills. 
The  manner  of  cutting  and  ornamenting'  this  part 
of  the  head  diftinguifhes  differept  nations  from  eac|i 
other. 

They  paint. their  faces  r-ed  and  black,  which  they 

.efteem  as  greatly  ornamental.     They  alfo  paint  them- 

felves  when  they  go  to  war ;    but  the  method  they 

make  ufc  of  on  this  occafion  d ifters. from  t. sat  whero- 

,in  they  ufc  it  merely  as  a  decoration. 

The  young  Indians,  who  arc  ciefirous  of  excelling 
their  companions  in  finery,  flit  the  outward  rim  of 
both  their  ears  j  at  the  f;\mc  time  they  take  care  not 
.to  fcparate  them  entirely,  but  leave  the  flelh  thus  cut, 
ftill  untouched  at  both  extremities,  around  this  fpoii- 
gy  fubftance,  from  the  upper  to  the  lower  part,  they 
twift  brafs  wire,  till  the  weight  draws  the  amputated 
.rim  in  a  bow  of  live  or  fix  inches  diameter,  and  drags 
it  almofl  down  to  the  flioukU^r.  This  decoration  is 
ellecmcJ  to  be  excciTwcly  gay  and  becoming. 

It  is  alfo  a  common  cuitom  smong  them  to  bore 
.their  nofcs,.aud  wear  iuvthem  'pendants   of  dilrercnt 

Icrts. 


!  I'H.. 


!  y'  ) 


rki 


♦■ 


3    ^ 


'!■> 


l-Ml 


1^  CARVER'S  TRAVELS.      .^^ 

forts.  I  obfervcd  that  feafliclls  were  much  worn 
by  thofe  of  the  interior  parts,  ami  reclconed  very  o^J 
namental ;  but  how  they  procure  them  I  could  not 
learn  i  probably  by  their  traflic  with  other  nations 
wearer  the  fca. 

They  go  without  any  covering  for  the  thigh,  except 
tl^at  before  fpoken  of,  round  the  middle  which  reaches 
down  half  way  the  thighs  ;  but  they  make  for  their 
legs  a  fort  of  ilocking,  either  of  ikins  orcloth  ;  thefc 
are  fewed  as  near  to  the  fliape  of  the  leg  as  poflible, 
foas  to  admit  of  being  drawn  on  and  ofF.  The  ed- 
ges of  the  ftuff  of  which  they  are  compofed  are  left 
annexed  to  the  feam,  and  hang  Loofe  for  bout  the 
biCjidth  of  a  hand ;  and  this  part  which  is  placed  on 
tlK  out  fide  of  the  leg,  is  generally  ornamented  by 
thofe  who  have  any  communication  with  Europeans, 
if  of  cloth  with  ribands  or  lace,  if  of  leather,  with 
embroidery  and  porcupine  quills  curiouily  colored. 
Strangers  who  hunt  among  the  Indians,  in  the  parts 
where  there  is  a  great  deal  of  fnow,  find  thefe  (lock- 
ings much  more  convenient  than  any  others. 

Their  fliocs  are  made  of  the,  (kin  of  the  <leer,  elk, 
orbufFsilo  :  thefe,  after  being  fometimes  drefl'ed  ac- 
cording to  the  European  manner,  at  others  with  the 
hair  remaining  on  them,  are  cut  into  (hoes,  and 
fafliioned  fo  as  to  be  eafy  to  the  feet,  and  convenient 
for  walking.  The  edges  round  the  ancle  are  deco- 
rated with  pieces  of  brafs  or  tin  fixed  around  leather 
firings  about  an  inch  long,  which  being  placed  very 
thick,  make  a  cheerful  tinkling  noiCe,  either  when 
they  walk  or  dance. 

The  women  wear  a  covering  of'fome  kind  or  o- 
ther  from  the  neck  to  the  knees.  Thofe  who  trade 
with.the  Europeans-v/ear  a  linen  garment,  the  fame 
as  that  ufed  by  the  men  ;  the  flaps  of  which  hang-o.- 
ver  the  "petticoat.  Such  as  drefs  after  their  ancient 
manner,  make  a  kind  of  fliift  with  Icatlier,  wliich 
covers  the  body, but  not  the  arms.     Tiieir  petticoats 

are 


CARVER^s'^Ri^LS. 


»^i 


jr«  tniidc  cither  of  leather  or  cloth,  and  reach  from 
jjjie  waift  to  the  knee.     On  tlicir  legs    they  wear 
■Jpckings  and  Ui0C3,  made  and  ornamented  as  thole 
of  the  men.    % 

They  diff^^r  from  each  other  in  themotjf  of  d  re  fl- 
ing their  heads,  each  following  tl^  cuflom  oftbc 
nation  or  band  to  which  they  bclonp,  and  adljcrinn;  to 
the  form  made  ufe  of  by  their  ancg^ora  from  time 
immemorial. 

I  remarked  that  mod  of  the  females,  who  dwell  on 
the  eaft  fide  of  the  Milfifippi,  decor  iie  their  heads  by 
iirclofing  their  hair  cither  in  nbaiMs,  or  in  plates  of 
filver ;  the  latter  is  only  m.ade  ufe  of  by  the  higher 
ranks,  m  it  is  a  coflly  ornament.  The  fdver  thty 
ufe  on  this  occafion,  is  formed  into  thin  plates  of  a- 
bout  fmir  inches  broad,  in  feveral  of  which  they  ecu- 
vine  tlrtfiv  hair.  That  plate  which  is  neareft  the  head, 
is  of  a  confiderable  width  ;  the  next  narrower  and 
made  fo  as  to  pafs  a'^ttlc  way  under  the  other,  and 
in,  this  m.annerlhey  faftcn  into  each  other,  and  gra- 
dually tapering,  defcend  to  the  waift.  The  hair  of 
the  Indian  women  being  in  general  very  long,  this 
proves  an  expenfive  metliod. 

liut  the  women  that  live  to  the  wefl;  of  the  MlfTi- 
fippij  viz.  the  Naudowefiies,  the  Ailinipoils,  &c.  di- 
vidt^  their  hair  in  the  middle  of  the  head,  and  form 
it  into  two  rolls,  one  againil  each  ear.  Thcfe  rolls 
are  about  three  inches  long,  and  as  large  as  their 
wrifls.  They  hang  in  a  perpendicular  attitude  at 
the  front  of  each  ear,  and  defcend  as  far  as  the  lower 
p:irt  of  if. 

The  women  of  every  nation  generally  place  a  fpct 
df  paint,  about  the  fize  of  a  crown-piece,  ngninfi: 
each  ear  ;  fome.  of  them  put  .paint  on  tli-^lr  Iv.iir,  r.r.  J 
fometimes  a  finall  fpot  in  the  middle  of  the  forei!e;uL 

The  Indians,  In  general,  pay  a  greater  attention 
to  their  drefs,  and  to  the  ornaments  with  which  tliey 
decorate  their  pcrfoni,  than  to  tlic  accomodation  of 

M  their 


!  .    '■ 


H  ! 


P-tf 


I  ,;>^ 


h 


kf 


«34 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


¥r-:  Nf; 


:I1 


their  huts  or  tents.     They  conftru£l:  the  latter  in  tht 
ibllowing  Hmple  anc!  expeditious  manner.  ,^ 

Being  provided  with  poles  of  a  proper  length,  th^ 
fallen  two  of  them  acrofs,  near  their  ends,  with  bands  • 
made  of  bark.  .  Having  done  this,  they  raife  them 
up,  and  extend  the  bottom  of  each  as  wide  as  they 
propofe  to  make  the  area  of  the  tent :  they  theneredt 
others  of  an  equal  height,  and  fix  them  fo  as  to  fup- 
_port  the  tv.o  principal  ones.  On  the  whole  they  lay 
ikins  of  tb.e  elk  or  deer,  lowed  together,  in  quantity 
fulficieut  to  cover  the  pples,  and  by  lapping  over  to 
form  the  door.  A  great  numbo-r  of  iTcins  are  foine- 
limes  required  for  this  purpofe,  as  forne  of  their  tents 
nre  very  capacious.  That  of  the  chief  warrior  of  the 
Naucioweflies  was  at  leaft  forty  feet  in  circumference, 
and  very  commodious. 

They  obfcrve  no  regularity  in  fixing  their  tents 
wlicn  they  encamp,  but  place  Uiem  jull:  as  it  fuits 
their  convcniency. 

The  huts  alfo,  which  thofc  who  uft  not  tents,  ereft 
when  they  travel,  for  very  few  tribes  have  fixed  a- 
bodes,  or  regular  towns,  or  villages,  are  equally  lim- 
ple,  and  almoli:  as  foon  confhructed. 

Tliey  fix  fmall  pliable  poles,  in  the  ground,  and 
-bending  them  tilj  they  meet  at  the  top  and  form  a 
iemi-circle,  then  lafli  them  together.  Thefe  they 
cover  with  mats  made  of  rufiies  platted,  or  with 
birch  bark,  which  they  carry  with  them  iii  their  ca- 
noes for  this  purpofe. 

Thefe  cabins  have  neither  chimnles  nor  windows ; 
there  is  only  a  fmall  aperture  left  in  the  middle  of 
the  roofs  through  which  the  fmoke  is  difcharged, 
but  as  this  is  obliged  to  be  ftoppcsl  up  when  it  rains 
or  ihows  violently,  the/mokc  then  prpves  exceeding- 
ly troublefomc. 

They  lie  on  (kins,  generally  thofc  of  the  bear, 
which  arc  placed  in  rows  on  the  ground  •,  and  if  the 
-iloor  is  not  large  enough  to  contain  bedo  fufficient 

for 


CARVER'S  TRAVELSi 


^3? 


t^er  in  th« 

iigth,  tbcjr 
i^ith  bands 
aile  them 
^te  as  they 
then  ere£t 
as  to  fup- 
they  lay 
quantity 
g  over  to 
are  fome- 
:heir  tents 
rior  ofthe 
mfercnce, 

their  tents 
as  it  fuit5 

ents,  ere£l 
e  fixed  a- 
jually  Tim- 

ounJ,  and 
id  form  a 
'hefc  they 
,  or  with 
11  their  ca- 

vvindows ; 
middle  of 
lifcharged, 
en  it  rains 
jxcceding- 

{hc  bear, 
and  if  the 
i  fufficient 
for 


^6r  the  accommodation  ofthe  whole  family,  a  frame 
%  cre£led  about  four  or  five  feet  from  the  ground  in 
^►hich  the  youiiger  part  of  it  fieep.- 

As  the  habftations  of  the  Indianjs  are  thus  rude, 
iheirdomcftic  utenfils  arc  few  in  niyiiber,"  and  plain 
in  their  formation.  The  tools  wher^xvith  they  faihiou 
ihem  are  ff  aukvvard  and  defetlive,  that  it  is  not  on- 
ly impoflible  to  form  them  with  any  degree  of  neat- 
ticfs  or  'elegance.,  but  the  time  required  in  theciccu- 
tion  is  fo  confiderable,  as  to  dct^r  them  from  ciptging 
intlie  manufadlurc  of  fuch  a*  are  not  ^biblutely  nc- 
ccflary.  - 

The  Naudovtreflics  make  the  pots  in  v/hich  they 
boil  their  vidluala  of  the  black  clay  or  Itonc  mention- 
ed in  niy  journal  :  which  refills  the  efi'e<^ts  of  fnc, 
nearly  jis  well  as  iron.  "When  tlicy  voall:^  if  it  is  a 
large  j^nt,  or  a  whol^  animal,  fuch  aj  beaver,  they 
fix  it  as  Europeans  4y»  ^^^  *  fpit  n^ade  of  a  hard  wood, 
and  placing  the  ends  on  two  forked  props,  now  and 
then  turn  it.  -If  the  piece  is  fmallcr  ihey  fpit  it  as 
before,  and  fixing  the  fpit  in  an  credl  but  flantin^ 
pofition,  with  the  meat  inclining  towards  the  fire, 
frequently  change  the  fides,  till  every  part  is  fuffi- 
ciently  roafted. 

They  make  their  difhes  in  which  they  fcrve  up  their 
meat,  and  their  bowls  and  pans,  out  ofthe  knotty  rx- 
crefcences  of  the  maple  tree  or  any  other  wood.  They 
falhicn  their  fpoons  witli  a  tolcrnhle  degree  c  f  ncnt- 
nefs  (as  thefe  requite  much  lefs  trouble  than  l:ugc  u- 
tenfiis)  from  a  Vfood  that  is  termed  in  America,  iSpoon 
Wood,  a:id  which  greatly  rcfembler.  box  uood. 

Every  tribe  are  now  pofl'cn*ed  of  knives,  and  flcch 
to  ftrike  fire  with.  'Jliefe  being  fo  { fientially  riccd- 
fulfor  (he  common  ufcs  of  life,  tliofe  who  have  nor  an 
i'nniediate  coinniunication  with,  ilic  Furcpcan  trader.^, 
j^urchafe  them  cf  fuch  of  tl"»elr  ncighbouis  as  are  fitu- 
ated  nearer  the  fettlemenf^,  und  ^;cnerally  give  in.  ex- 
change for  them  Haves.   * 

CHAPTER  ill. 


•^IM 


!>:  r. 


;| 


••  '5 


«  I 


im^ 


> '  ^^I'l 


?i;' 


136 


GARVER's  TRAVELS. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R    III. 

QF  TUiLfR  MAmiERS, SALIFICATIONS,  ^Tr, 

VV  HEN  the  IrKiian  women  fit  tfewir,  ihey 
placq  theinfelvcs  in  a  decent  attitmie,  with  theiv  knce^ 
«:[oiG|i|^ethcF  ;,  btrfe  inom  Wing  acGAi^or'.i.Ji  tot  tkl> 


«k:wjg  »«5r  aiBfritt«:£:  M.  tfest  time  ©njsecd&ry*    da 

iUtk  uti^d  €!$i'^Ami-Ki€nHf  whkh  are  ciimmimlj  versf 
Lto":ci><w,  2$  {lie  siKJi,  vli^  arc  raji^rkabSy  imWrai, 
itsviJ  W  tlitm  trcry  kajJtJ  ©f  lras<dg«yi  c^aa  iniJjtii 
kssntiiiig  pirtks  tBc  f^^Jtmcr  will  tsos  ikign  to  bring 
h-v^mc  djc  g<£3nL>9  ^i^w^  ^s-'^^^  4h«r  wires  fer  it,  dwMJgh  it 
Ik  $  at  a  very  cmmdtrMa  diiiaisce. 

ifc  boffi  en  h%iikr^  il^jfTcd  '-istia  fofi  m^%  f-ath  21s  » 
Townd  111  moTiiXti  cr  jmca^So  ws,  Tlic  child  h  Jai4 
iHi  its  t&ck  in  one  of  this  kiml  d  cradks,  assJ  bcifl| 
wi  sppcd  ;n  fitins  cr  dcth  to  ictp  It  "sr^ti m^  i$  fcosud 
\a  It  by  (mall  bcist  piecif  of  tinsbcr. 

To  tlicfc  machines  they  fatten  UringSy  hr  t^likh 
dicjr  hnng  them  tp  branches  of  trees  \  or,  if  they  find 
not  trees  at  haiid,  fallen  them  f5  a  fltemp  or  Itoiic, 
whiHl  tlicy  tranlatl:  any  needful  bufineis.  In  this 
pofition  cU'j  die  children  kept  for  feme  months,\vhcii 
tiiey  arc  taken  out,  the  boya  arc  fuffered  to  go  naked 
^nd  tliC  girls  are  eovered  from  the  neck  to  the  kr-cei 
wi*h'a  Ihift  and  a  fliort  petticoat. 

The  Indian  women  are  remarkably  decent  duriii;:^ 
their  menftrual  illnefj.  Thofe  nations  tllat  are  melt 
remote  from  thz  European  fcttlcments,  as  tiic  Nau* 
-    -  dowcilic?, 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


>37 


dowcffies,  &c.  are  more  particularly  atttntlve  to  this 
point ;  though  they  all  without  exception  adhere  in 
fome  degree  to  the  fame  cuftom. 

'In  every  camp  or  town  there  is  an  apartment  ap- 
propriated for  their  retirement  at  this  time,  to  which 
both  fingle  and  married  retreat,  and  feclude  them- 
felvcswilh  the  utmoft  ftriclncfs  during  this  period 
from  all  fociety.  Afterwards  they  purify  themfeivcs 
in  running  ftreams,  and  return  to  their  dilTcicnt  tm- 
ployments. 

The  men  on  thefe  occafions  mofl  ca^'efuHy  avoid 
holding  any  communication  with  them  ;  ard  the 
Naudowefiies  arc  fo  rigid  in  this  cbfervrjice,  that 
they  will  not  fuffcr  any  belonging  to  them  to  fetcii 
fuch  things  as  are  neceilary,  even  fire,  from  thcfc 
female  lunar  retreats,  though  the  want  of  ihcm  is  at- 
tended with  the  greattfl  inccnvenience.  'H^cy  are 
alfo  fofuperftitious  as  to  think,  if  a  pipePtcm  crack?, 
which  among^  tliem  is  m?de  of  wood,  that  the  pof- 
fe (for  has  cither  lighted  it  at  one  of  thefe  poluted 
fires,  or  held  fome  converfe  with  a  woman  during 
her  retirement,  which  is  efleemed  by  thet^  feaoll  dif- 

.  graceful  and  wicked.        ^ 

>♦»  The  Indians  are  extremely  circumfpedl  ^d  delib- 
erate in  every  W'ord  and  action;  there  is  nothing  that 
hurries  them  into  any  intemperate  warmth,  but  that 
inveteracy  to  their  enemies,  which  is  rooted  in  every. 
Indian  heart,  and  never  can  be  .eradicated.  In  a! I 
other  in {tan^<SJ8  tWPy  are  cool,  aiiJ  remarkably  cau- 
tious, taking  care.iot  to  betray  on  any  a'  ^.-^unt  what- 
ever their  emotions.  If  an  Indian  has  difcovered 
that  a  friend  is  in  danger  of  being  intercepted  and  cut 
off  by  one  to  whom  he  has  rendered  himfelf  obnox- 
ious;  h».*  does  not  inform  him  in  plain  and  explicit 
terms  of  the  danger  he  runs  by  purfuin^j;  the  tracic 
near  which  his  enemy  lies  in  wait  -for  liim,  but  he 
fisA  coolly  afks  him  which  way  he  is  going  thst  day  j 
and  having  received  iiis  anfwer,  with  the  fame  tn- 
'  "  H3i  ciirer(.nce    , 


i   '■■■»«  I'' 


4^! 


ir 


*)  ;.? 


' 


«3« 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


difference  tells  him  that  he  has  been  informed  that 
a  dog  lies  near  t!lfe  fpot,  which  might  probably  do 
him  a  mifchief.  This  hint  proves  fufliclent ;  and  his 
friend  avoids  the  danger  with  as  much  caution  as  if 
every  defign  and  motion  of  his  enf  my  had  been  point- 
ed out  to  him. 

This  apathy  often  illews  itfclf  on  occ^fions  that 
would  call  fortfc^  all  the  fervor  of  a  fuiceptible  heart. 
If  an  Indian  haS  beei^abfent  from  his  family  and 
friends  many  months,  either  on  a  war  or  hunting 
p.  rty,  when  his  wife  andjNchildren  meet  him  at  feme 
diilance  from  his  habitation,  inftead  of  the  affe(Stion- 
ate  fcnfations  that  would  naturally  arife  in  the  breaft 
of  mote  refined  beings,  and  be  produttivc  of  mutual 
congratulations,  he  continues  his  courfe  withcmt 
paying  the  leaft  attention  to  thofe  who  furround  hiin, 
tili  hejtt'rives  at  his  home. 

He  Ihere  fits  down,  and  with  the  Tame  unconcevn 
as  if  he  had  not  been  abfent  a  day,  fmdkes  his  pips  j 
thofe  of  his  acquaintance  who  followed  him,  do  the 
fame  ;  and  perhaps  it  is  feveral  hours  before  he  re- 
lates to  them  the  iLcidents  which  have  befallen  him 
during  his  abfcence,  though  perhaps  he  has  left  a  fa- 
ther, brother,  or  fon  on  the  field,  whofe  lofs  he  ought 
to  have  lamented,  or  has  been  unfuccefstul  in  the 
undertaking  that  called  him  from  his  home. 

Has  an  Indian  been  engaged  for  feveral  days  in 
the  chice,  or  on  any  other  laborious  expedition,  and 
by  accident  continued  thus  longfwit^ut  food,  wlicn 
he  arrives  at  the  hut  or  tent  of 'a  Mend  where  he 
knows  his  wants  may  be  immediately  fuppiied,  he 
takes  care  not  to  fhow  the  Icafl*  fymptoms  of  impa- 
tience, or  to  betray  the  extreme  hunger  by  which  he 
is  tortured  ;  but  an  being  invited  in,  fits  contented- 
ly down,  and  fmokes  his  pipe  with  as  much  compo- 
lure  as  if  every  appetite  was  allayed,  and  be  was  per- 
feicEtiy  at  eafe  ;  he  does  the.  fame  if  among  ftfangers. 
This  cuflom  is  ilri^lly  adhered  to  by  every  tribe,  as 

they 


CARVER'S  TRAVE-LS'. 


»39 


unconcevn 


they  efteeijjtit  a  proof  of  fortitude,  and  think  the  re- 
.  verfe  woulij^intitle  them  to  tht  appellation    of  old 

womfp.      '"  ♦> 

If  yop  tell  an  Indian  that  his  children  have  great- 
ly fignalized  themjelves  againft  an  eiiemy,  have  tak- 
en many  fc^ilps,  and  brought  home  many  f)rifoners, 
he\lttes  not  appear  £•  feel  any  extraordinary  pleafure 
oatUeoccafion;  his  anfwer  j^enerally  i8>  "it  is  well,'* 
nnd  he  makes  very  little  enquiry  about  it.  On  the 
contrary,  if  you  inform  him  that  his  children  are 
ilain  or  taken  prifbners,  h^  makes  no  complaints,  lie 
only  replies,  "  it  does  not  fignify  j"  and  probably, 
for  fome  time  at  leaft,  afks  not  how  it  happened. 
^*"  vThis  feeming  indifference,  however,  does  not  pro- 
ceed from  an  entire  fupprclEon  ©f  the  natural  af- 
fections ;  for  notwithfianding  they  are  cfteemed 
favages,  I  never  faw  among  any  other  peopl|^ greater 
proofs  of  parental  or  filial  tendernefs. ;  and  although 
they  meet  tlieir  wives  after  a  long  abfcence  with  the 
ftoical  iiidifletence  juft  mentioned,  tliey  are  not,  in 
general,  void  of  conjugal  affeftion,       v 

Another  peculiarity  is  obfcrvable  in  their  manner 
„of  paying  tlieir  vifits.      If  an  Indian  goes  to  vifit  a 
^Marticular  perfon  in  a  family,  he  mentions  tp  whom 
his  vifit  is  intended,   and  the  reft  of  the  family  im- 
mediately retiring  to  the  other  end  of  the  hut  or  tent, 
are  careful  not  to  come  near  enough  to  interrupt  them 
during  the  whole  of  the  converfation.      The  fame 
method  is  jp^tfued  if  a  man  goes  to  pay  his  refpeds 
to  one  of  th^other  fex^^  but  then  he  muft  be  careful 
not  to  let  love  be  the  fubjedl  of  his  difcourfe,  whilft 
-the  day  light  remains. 

The  Indians  difcover  an  amazing  fagacity,  and  ac- 
quire with  the  greateft  readinefs  any  thing  that  de- 
pends upon  the  attention  of  the  mind,  by  experi- 
ence and  an  acute  obfervation,  they  attain  many  per- 
fedions  to  which  Europeans  are  ftrangers.  For  in- 
ilance,  they  will  crofs  a  foreil  or  a  plain  which  is 

tv/o 


t  ■. 


•f-  , 


'IH' 


\m 


-  ''  m 


I 


in 


140 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


two  hundred  miles  in  breadth,  and  reach  with  great 
exadnefs  the  p^ftnt  at  which  they  intqpd  to  arrive 
keeping  during  the  wj^ole  of  that  Tpace  inAdirc£t 
line,  without  any  material  deviations  ;  aiidithis  they 
will  do  with  the  fame  cafe,  wh^her  the  weather  Bfe 
fair  or  ^oudy.       '*'  < 

With  equal  ac»tenefs  will  %ey  point  to  thaf  pan 
of  the  heavens  the  iun  Is  in,  though  it  be  iiitercept- 
cd  by  clouds  or  fogS|,  Befidcs  this,  they  are  able  to 
fWrfue  with  incredible  facility  the  traces  of  man^ 
bead,  either  on  leaves  of^srafs  j  and  on  this  account 
it  is  with  great  difficulty  a  flying  enemy  efcapes  dif. 
covcry.    .  '    '  -a 

They  are  indebted  for  thefe  talents  not  only  td*m- 
ture,  but  to  an  extraordinary  command  of  the  iineU 
leftual  faculties,  which  can  only  be  ticquired  by  an 
unremitted  attention,  and  by  long  experience. 

They  are  in  general  very  happy  in  a  retentive  me- 
mory ;  they  can  recapitulate  every  particular  that  ha$ 
been  treated  of  in  council,  and  rem^fiiber  the  exacl 
time  when  ishcfo  were  held.  Their  belts  of  wampum 
pref^rve  the  fubflance  of  the  treaties  tliey  have  con- 
cluded with  the  neighbouring  tribes  for  ages  b^k 
to  which  they  will  appeal,  and  refer  with  as  niWm 
perfpicuity  and  readinefs  as  Europeans  can  to  their 
written  records.  * 

Every  nation  payj  great  refpetfl:  to  old  age.  The 
advice  of  a  father  will  feldom  meet  'vyfth  auy  extra- 
ordinary attention  from  the  young  ^Mlans,  probably 
tiicy  rtctivc  it  with  only  a  bare  afleht ;  but  they  will 
tremble  before  a  grandfather,  and  fubmit  to  his  in- 
junction with  the  utmoft  alacrity.  The  words  of 
the  ancient  part  of  their  community  are  efteemcd  by 
the  young  as  oracles.  If  they  take  during  their  hunt- 
ing parties  any  game  that  is  rcciconed  by  them  un- 
commonly dehcious,  it  is  immediately  prefentcd  to 
the   eldeJt  of  their  relations^ 

They 


CARVERH  TRAVELS. 


141 


Thcj  never  iuffer  themfelves  to  be  overbunlcnct!* 
with  care,  hut  live  in  a  ftate  of  pfpfe^H: -^tranquillity 
iUidc0Bt«^iit^^"t'  Being  naturally  indolent,  itprovi- 
iion ji8t  fulficicnt  for  their  fiiSlilbmre  an  be  prtjcured 
with  litfie  trouble,.^d  near  at  hand,  they  will  no:gp 
far,  or  take  any  exrfaordinary  p^ins  Tor  it,  tilDus>h  by 
fo.ijbing  they  might ^apcquirc  greater  p'^iity,  und  of  a 
more  clliniatle  kind.  '•% 


^  jkieplfjgf  and  r,;a339Hj«i)^;  $kmit  m  <^^r  ix>w»s  ^(nr 
'  iiamps.  But  wboi  ]kcclfit5r  c^Jiges  thorn  it<r'tak£  dis: 
&J4«  either- to  oppofc  ajieneoif,  or  to^prtoaxrt  db«jcn- 
illites-food^  tbey  are  akrt  ami  in^lati^-^iibk,.  Mz:y-f 
'aSimcc5  of  tbeur  sctivkf^  cm  tiir^  occzikms,  will  ice 
ghrcJi  wh^ti  I  treat  of  liiek  Vfist.- 

'Vhe  infatuating  f^rkof  gamif);g  is  19^  c-^nBntd  to 
Europe;  the  indents aUb foci  tl^  t>emi:c!iii!|!;  iiDpcilir 
and  often  lolb  tkeir  zrmSf  ihehr  2ippan;9,  sirii:!  evrr<y 
thing  they  ave  poBeflcd  of.  lu  ihi*  eafe«  liow'srev-^ 
they  do  not  fc^w  the  example  of  mote  fe^nedgamef, 
ctr5,  for  they jieiiJier  murmur  nor  rcpme^!ni:t  a  fret- 
ful word  eicapes  theioij  but  they  h^u  i1!s£  frowns  rf 
.^jMtun^  vith  a  philofc^hic  compc^fure. 
^  The  greateft  blemifii  in  lbt»r  chztz^t'cr  i*  that  la- 
vage dlj^ofition  trhicli  inspeJs  tiscm  :o  tif^zt  iJbeir 
enemies  witk  a  fefciity  cfcry  other  natiovi  ihtiddcrs 
aL  Bnt  if*  they  are  thus  baii)arous  '  to  thcfe  v  itli 
whom  they  SjSs^^t  war,  they  are  friendly,  hoipitablc, 
And  liumaneTR-peace.  Itmiiy  wl^i  truth  be  faid  cf 
:hem,  that  they  are  the  worlt  enemies,  and  the  beft 
friends,  of  any  people  in  the  whole  world. 

The  Indians  in  general  are  ftrangers  to  the  pafliort 
t)f  jealoufy  j  and  brand  a  man  with  folly  that  is  dif- 
truftful  of  his  wife.  AniQUg  fome  bands  the  very 
idea  is  ift)t  known ;  as  the  mod  abandoned  of  theii- 
young  men  very  rarely  attempt  the  virtue  of  married 
women,  nor  do  thefe  often  put  themfelves  in  the 

way    _ 


•  ( 


[■if  'i'" 

lit:,  . .  I  ■. 


m 


■\ 


•ill 


ij 


14,1         ♦♦    CARVER'S- IrRAVELS-. 

way  of  felicitation.  Yet  the  Indian  women  in  g/jfic. 
ral  are  of  an  aip^ous  temperature,  ^nd  before'thcy 
arc  married  are  not  the  lew  eftecnied  fftr  the  indul- 
gence of  their  paflions.**  '  -v 

The  Indiana  in  their  cpmrnon^^te  are  ftraligcrs  t^ 
all  diftit^ion  of  p};9perty,  cxcejit  in  the  articles  of 
domcillc  ufti,  which,  every  onaconfiders  as  his  own' 
and  increafes  as  c$:uo|flances  admit.  They  are  ex- 
tremely liberal  to  each  othci*^  and  fupply  the  defi- 
cj«gocy  of  their  friendii  wi^  any  fuperfluity  of  theij[ 
owm  >  % 

In  'dangers  they  icadily  ^ive  afliftance  to  thofe  oi  , 
their  band,  wlio  Itand  in  need  of  it,  without  any  ex" 
pedtation  of  return,  except  of  thofe  juilrewa<rd^tliji% 
;irc  always  conferred  by  the  Indians  on  merit.  Gov- 
erned by  the  plain  and  equitab}||  laws  of  nature,  every 
one  is  rewarded  folely  according  to  his  dcferts ;  and 
tlieir  equslity  of  condition,  manners  and  privileges^ 
whth  that  conftant  sinH  fociable  fsmi^arity  which 
prevaili;:d)TOughouf  every  Indian  nation,  atiimates^» 
them  wIthVc  pure  and  truly  patriotic  fpirk,  that  tends 
to  the  geiseral  good  of  the  fociety  to  which  they  be- 
long;^ 

If  any  of  their  neighbours  are  bereaved  by  deat|^^ 
or  by  an  enemy  of  tlieir  children,  thofe  who  are  pof- 
fefled  of  the  greateft  number  of  flaves,  fupply  thedcf 
ficiency  ;  and  thefc  are  adopted  by  them,  and  treat- 
ed in  every  refpeft  as  if  they  rertlly  were  the  children 
of  the  perfon  to  whom  they  are  pretoted. 

Tlie  Indians,  except  thofe  who  live  adjoining  to 
the  European  cofonies,  ran  form  to  themfelves  no 
idea  of  the  value  of  money ;  they  confider  it  when 
they  are  made  acquainted  with  the  ufes  to  which  it 
is  applied  by  other  n?«^!cns,  as  the  fource  of  innumer- 
able evils.  To  it  they  attribute  ail  the  mifchicfs  that 
are  prevalent  among  Europeans,  fuch  as.  treachtry, 
plundering,  devaftations,  and  murder. 

■  Thev 


They  < 
pofTelTed 
amazed, 
poflelfion 
iictaKho 
liberty,  5 
tioft^of  it 
the  drear 
pf  which 
^pr  dp 
pean  fyft 
ilitutors  < 
jjtandth 

f  .They 

for  the  p 

{hewn  tl: 

it,"  but  ; 

it,  neith( 

ufe.    Bi 

.run  with 

can  dire 

cafe  a  b< 

ftands  tt 

of  a  cou 

through 

^Cmall 

they  lif 

and  befl 

of  it. 


tARVEIV% 


TRAVELS. 


Hi 


They  efteem  it  irrational  that  one  man  flioukl  be 
poffefTcd  of  a  greater  qua^ility  thant^ucther,  and  are 
amazed  thai  any  honor  ihould  be  annexed  to  the 
nofleffion  of.it.  Dut  that  the  want  of  this  ufelcfs 
flictal  ftiould  be  the  caufe  of  depriving  perfons  of  their 
liberty,  J^nii  that  oo  account. of  .tins  partial  diHribu- 
tio»^of  it,  great  numbers  (liould  be  immured  within 
the  dreary  walls  of  aprifon,  cut  off  from  that  fociety 
pf  which  they  conftitute  a  part,  exceeds  their  belief, 
^or  dp  they  fail,  on  hearing  this  part  of  the  Euro- 
pean fyftcm  of  government  related,  to  ch*arge  the  in- 
ilitutorsof  it'with  a  total  want  of  humanity,  and  to 
jjrand  them  with  the  names  of  flivagcs  and  brutes. 
f  .They,  fhew  almoft  an  equal  degree  of  indi^crence 
for  the  produflions  of  art.  "When  any  of  thefe  are 
(hewn  them,  they  fay».  "  It  is  pretty,  I  like  to  look  at 
it,"  but  are  not  inquiiltive  about  the  cowflru^tion  of 
it,  neither  can  they  form  proper  conceptions  of  its 
ufe.  But  if  you  tell  them  of  a  peilbn  who  h  able  to 
•run  with  great  agility  that  is  well  ikiiled  in  hunting, 
can  diredl  with  unerring,  aim  a  gun,  or  bend  with 
eafe  a  bow,  that  can  dextroully  work  a  canoe,. under- 
ftands  the  art  of  war,  is  acquainted  with  the  fituatiou 
,@f  a  country,  and  can  make  his  way  without  a  guide, 
,tlirough  an  immenfe  foreft,  fubfifting  during  this  on 
^Onall  quantity  of  provifions,  they  are  in  raptures  j 
they  liflen  with  great  attention  to  the  pleafing  tale, 
and  beftow  the  highefl  commendations  on  the  hero 
of  it,  ^., 


5r 


CHAPTER  IV. 


m^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


CH  A  P  t  r.  R    IV. 


mm 


7HEJii  METHOD  OF  HECXON-mc  TIME.  ^. 


'mc 


et> 


.^ONSIDIiRING  their  ignorance  of  ailrone- 
my,  time  is  very  rationally  divided  by  the  Indians. 
Thofe  in  the  inte^-ior  parts  (and  of  thofc  I  would 
generally  be  underltood  to  fpeak)  count  their  years 
by  winters  j  or,  as  they  ^xprefs  themfelves,  by  fnows. 

Some  nations  among  tJiem  reckon  their  years  W 
moons,  and  make  thcmconfifl;  of  twelve  fynodicalor 
lunar  months,  obfefving,  when  thirty  moons  have 
waned,  to  add  a  fupernurnerary  one,  which  they  term 
the  loft  '"noon  ;  and  then  begin  to  :COunt  as  before. 
They  pay  a  great  regard  to  the  dvH  appearance  of 
every  moon,  and  on  the  occaHon  always  ri-pcat  fom.* 
joyful  founds,  Itretching  the  fame  time  their  haiidj 
towards  it.  ^'^ 

Every  month  has  with  them  a  nanje  cxprcfiive  of 
its  feafon  ;  for  inflance,  they  call  the  month  of  Marcli 
(in  which  their  year  gcrie^ally  begins  at  the  firft  New- 
Moon  after  the  vernai. Equinox)  the  Worm  Month 
or  Moon  ;  becaufe  at  this  time  the  wornis  quit  their 
retrc.its  in  the  bark  of  the  trees,  wood,  Sec.  wher« 
they  have  fhekered  ihep'.folves  during  the  v,  inter. 

The  month  of  April  is  termed  by  them  tlie  month 
of  Plants.  May,  the  Month  of  FloWfrs.  Jnncy  the 
Hot-Moon.  July,  the  Bucl;  Moon.  Tiie'r  rcafon 
for  thus  denominating  thcfe  is  obvious. 

AugufV,  the  Sturgeon  Moor. ;  beer  ufe  in  ilih  month 
they  catch  great  numbers  of  thut  f  (h. 

September,  the  Corn  Moon  ,  bccaufc  irt  t!>at  monh 
thcv  sathcr  in  their  Indian  com. 

Oclobr:r,  tiie  Travelling  f^Toon.;  as  they  leave  at 
this  time  heir  villages,  and  travel  towards  the  place 
Wiicre  they  intend  to  hunt  during  tiie  winter. 


CARVER'S    IRAVELS. 


'45 


November,  tlie  Beaver  Moon  ;  for  in  this  month 
the  beavers  begin  to  take  belter  in  their  houfes,  hav- 
ing laid  up  ii  fuflicicnt  ftore  of  provifions  for  the 
winter  feafon.   ■ 

December,  the  Hunting  Moon,  becaufe  they  em- 
ploy this  month  in  purfuit  of  their  game. 

January,  the  Cold  Moon,  as  it  generally  freezes 
harder,  and  the  cold  is  more  intenfe  in  this  tliau  in 
any  other  month. 

February,  they  call  the  Snow  Moon  becaufe  more 
fnow  commonly  falls  durinjg  this  month,  than  any 
other  in  the  winter. 

When  the  moon  docs  not  fhine  they  fay  the  IMoon 
is  dead  i  and  fome  call  the  three  laft  days  of  if  the 
naked  days.  The  Moon's  firll  appearance  they  term 
its  coming  to  life  again. 

They  make  no  divifion  of  weeks  j  but  days  they 
count  by  fleeps  -,  half  days  by  pointing  to  the  fun  at 
noon  ;  and  quarters  by  the  rifing  and  the  fetting  of 
Xhe  fun  :  to  exprefs  which  in  their  traditions  the)' 
rnakc  ufe  of  very  fignificant  hieroglyphics. 

Tiic  Indians  are  totally  unfkillcd  in  geography  as 
well  as  all  the  other  fciences,  and  yet,  os  I  have  be- 
fore hinted,  they  draw  on  their  birch  bark  very  exadt 
cliarts  or  maps  of  the  countries  with  which  they  arc 
acquainted.  The  latitude  and  longitude  is  only  want- 
ing to  make  them  tolerably  complete. 

Their  fole  knowledge  in  aftronomy  confifts  in  be- 
ing able  to  point  out  the  polc-fiar ;  by  which  they 
regulate  their  courfc  wlien  they  travel  in  the  night. 

They  reckon  the  diftancc  of  places,  not  by  miles 
or  leagues,  but  by  a  day's  journey,  which,  accoruing 
to  the  belt  calculations  I  could  make,  appears  to  be 
about  twenty  Engliflj  mi!es.  Thcfe  they  alfo  divide 
into  halves  and  ([uarters,  and  will  dcmonftrate  them 
innhcir  maps  with  great  cxa^lnefs,  by  the  hicrogly- 
phicsjuft  mentioned,  wlien  they  regulate  in  council 
their  war  parties,  or  tlicir  molt  dillaut  bunting  cxcur- 
fiCHs,  ^N  llicy 


if. 


'if    ( 


• 


V 


w 


'jl  ''l 


i"  PI 


146  , CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 

They  have  no  idea  of  arithmetic  •,  ami  though  they 
arc  able  to  count  to  any  number,  figm'cs  as  well  as 
letters  appear  myftcricus  to  them,  anJ  above  their 
tonipiehcnlion. 

During  my  abode  with  ihe  Ni'.udowcfTies,  fome  of 
die  chiefs  obferving  cnc  day  a  t'raft  of  an  eclipfe  of 
the  moon,  in  a  book  of  aftrononiy  which  I  held  in 
my  hand,  they  defired  I  vvouUl  permit  them  to  look 
at  it.  Happening  tc  give  them  the  book  fliut,  tlicy 
began  to  count  trlie  leaves  till  they  came  to  the  place 
in  which  the  plate  was.  After  they  had  viewed  it, 
and  alTced  many  queftions  relative  to  it,  I  told  them 
they  need  not  to  have*takcn  fo  much  pains  to  lind 
the  leaf  on  which  it  was  drawn,  for  I  could  not  only 
tell  in  an  inftant  the  place,  without  counting  tJic 
leaves,  but  alfo  how  many  prececded  it. 

I'hey  feemed  grfeatly  amazed  at  my  afiertion,  and 
be.c;ged  that  I  would  demonflratc  to  them  the  polii- 
bility  of  doing  it.  To  this  purpofe  I  defired  the  chief 
1  hat  held  the  book,  to  open  it  at  any  particular  place, 
and  jufl  flicwing  me  the  page  carefully  to  conceal 
the  edges  of  the  le^.vcs,  fo  that  I  might  not  be  able  to 
t:ount  them. 

This  he  did  with  the  greateft  caution  ;  notwlth- 
*  ilanding  which,  by  looking  at  the  folio,  I  told  him, 
to  his  great  furprife,  the  numb'jr  of  leaves.  He  count- 
ed them  regularly  over,  and  difcovercd  that  I  was 
cxa£t.  And  when,  after  repeated  trials,  the  Indians 
found  I  could  do  it  with  great  readinefs,  and  without 
ever  erring  in  my  calculation,  they  all  feemed  as 
much  aftonifhed  as  if  I  had  raifcd  the  dead.  The 
only  way  they  could  account  for  my  knowledge,  was 
by  concluding  that  the  book  was  a  fpirit,  and  whlf- 
pered  me  anfwers  to  whatever  I  demanded  of  it. 

This  circumftance,  trifling  as  it  might  appear  to 
thofe  who  are  leis  illiterate,  contributed  to  incre;»re 
my  confequence,  and  to  augment  the  favorable  opin- 
ion they  already  entertained  of  me. 

CHAPTER  y. 


t 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


^^U\ 


CHAP  T  E  R     V. 

OF  rmER  GOVERNMENT,  '^c. 


ILVERY  fcparale  body  of  Tmlians  is  c^ivlded 
into  bands  or  tribes ;  which  band  or  tribe  fovnui  a 
little  community  with  the  nation  to  which  it  belong!*,, 
J^s  the  nation  has  feme  particular  fynibol  by  which 
it  is  diftinguiflied  from  others,  fo  each  tribe  has  a 
badge  from  which  it  is  denominated  ;  as  that  of  thg 
Eagle,  the  Panther,  the  Tiger,  the  Buffalo,  &c,  ^'c, 
One  band  of  the  Naudowellics  is  reprcfcnted  by  u 
Snake,  another  a  Tortoife,  a  third  a  Squirrel,  a  fouvtli 
a  Wolf,  and  a  fifth  a  Buffalo.  Throughout  every 
nation  they  particularize  themfelves  in  the  fame  man- 
ner, and  the  mcaneft  perfon  among  them  will  re- 
member his  lineal  defccnt,  and  dillinguifh  himfclf 
by  his  refpedlive  family. 

Did  not  many  circumftances  tend  to  confute  the 
fuppofition,  I  fhould  be  almofl  induced  to  conclude 
from  this  diilin<Slion  of  tribes,  and  the  particular  at- 
tachment of  the  Indians  to  them,  that  they  derive 
their  origin,  as  feme  have  afferted,  from  the  Ifraelites. 

Befides  this,  every  nation  diftinguifli  themfelves  by 
the  manner  of  conftru£ling  their  tents  or  huts.  And 
fo  well  verfed  are  all  the  Indians  in  this  diftind^ior, 
that  though  there  appears  to  be  no  difterence  on  the 
niceft  obfervation  made  by  an  European,  yet  ihcy 
will  immediately  difcover,  from  the  pofition  cf  a  pole 
left  in  the  ground,  what  nation  has  encamped  on.  the 
fpot  many  months  before. 

Every  band  has  a  chief  who  is  termed  the  Great 
Chief  or  the  chief  Warrior  ;  and  who  is  chofen  in 
confideration  of  his  experience  in  war,  ind  cf  his  ap- 
proved valor,  to  direct  tlieir  military  operations,  ar,d 

.to 


■ '  I'm 


i;t  U.. 


148  CARV'ER's  TRAVELS. 

to  regulate  all  concerns  bclonp^ing  to  that  clepattmenf, 
Eut  this  chief  is  not  confidered  as  the  head  of  the 
flate  i  befides  the  great  warrior  who  is  eic<5ted  for 
hii  war-like  qualifications,  there  is  another  who  en- 
joys a  pre-eminence  as  his  hereditary  right,  and  has 
the  more  immediate  management  of  their  civil  af- 
i^iirs.  This  chief  might  with  greater  propriety  be 
denominated  the  Sachem  ;  whole  aiTent  is  necelTary 
in  all  conveyances  and  treaties,  to  which  he  ailixes 
the  mark  of  the  tribe  or  nation. 

Though  thefe  two  are  confidered  as  the  heads  of 
the  band,  and  the  latter  is  ufually  denominated  their 
king,  yet  the  Indians  are  fenfible  of  neither  civil  or 
military  fubordination.  As  every  one  of  them  enter* 
tains  a  high  opinion  of  his  coni'cquercc,  and  is  ex- 
rrcmely  tenacious  of  his  liberty,  all  injunctions  that 
carry  with  them  the  appearance  of  a  pofitive  com- 
mand, are  inftantly  rejected  with  fcorn. 

On  this  account,  it  is  feldom  that  their  leaders  are 
fo  indiforeet  as  to  give  out  any  of  their  orders  in  a 
peremptory  ftile  ;  a  bare  hint  from  a  chief  that  he 
thin' 1  luch  a  tiling  necefiary  to  be  done,  inftantly 
aroulcs  an  emulation  among  the  inferior  ranks,  and 
it  is  immediately  executed  with  great  alacrity.  By 
this  method  the  difjL'uflful  part  ^pf  the  command  is 
evaded,  and  an  authority  that  falls  little  Ihort  of  ab- 
fclutc  fway  inflituted  in  its  room. 

Among  the  Indians  no  vifible  form  of  government 
is  eftabUfiied  ;  they  allow  of  no  fuch  diftindion  as 
magidrate  and  fuhjeft,  every  one  appearing  to  enjoy 
an  itKJcpendence  that  cannot  be  controlled.  The  cl)- 
je£l  of  government  among  them  is  rather  foreign  than 
domeftic,  for  their  attention  fcems  more  to  be  eir.pioy- 
cd  in  preferving  fuch  an  union  among  the  members 
of  their  tribe  as  will  enable  them  to  watch  the  mu- 
tiona  of  their  enemies,  and  a6t  againft  them  witJi 
concert  and  vigor,  than  to  maintain  interior  or- 
der by  any  public  regulations.  If  a  fcheme  that  ap- 
pears 


\m 


W^\ 


i 


CARVER»$  TRA\'^"LS. 


140 


'tjears  to  be  of  fcrvicc  ^  the  community  is  propofed 
by  the  chief,  every  oneb  at  libcrtf  to  cnocfe  whether 
he  will  affift  in  jarrying  it  on;  for  they  have  no  com- 
»  pulfory  law*  thw  lay  them  under  any  reftridtions;  If 
violence  is  eommitted,  qX  b^od  is  fhed,  the  right  of 
revenging  tbefe  mifdcjafaiW|,,j''  left  to  the  family  of 
,the  iniuied  :  the  ch'SWIfliiTO  neither  the  power  of 
infliftmg  or  modcratmg  the  ^uniflimept. 
,  Some  nations,  where  the  dignity  is  hereditary, 
limit  the  fucceflion  to  thg^male  line.  On  the  death 
of  a  chfef,  his  filler's  foiPromctimcs  fucceeds  him  in 
preference  to  Bis  owfa  fon  &and  if  he  happens  to  have 
no  fifter,  the  nearel^  femafc  relation  aflbmes  the  dig- 
nity. This  accounts  fort  woiHg  being  at  the  head 
of  the  Winnebago  nation,  wMlvljefore  I  was  ac- 
quainted with  their  la^'s,  appeared  ftrange  to  n. e. 

Each  family  has  a  right  to  appbint  one  of  its  chiefs 
to  be  an  afliftant  to  the  principal  chief,  who  watch- 
es over  the  intcreft  of  his'family,  and  without  whofe 
-confent  nothing  of  a  public  nature  can  be  carried  in- 
to execution.  Thcfe  are  generally  chofen  for  their 
ability  infpeaking  ;  and  fuch^nly  are  permitted  to 
make  orations  in  their  councils  and  general  aflbmblies. 

In  this  body,  with  the  hereditary  chief  at  its  head, 
the  fupreme  authority  appears  to  be  lodged  \  as  by 
its  determination  every  tranfaflion  relative  to  their 
hunting,  to  their  making  war  or  peace,  and  to  all 
their  public  concerns  are  regulated.  Next  to  thefc, 
the  body  dPwarriors  which  comprehends  all  that  arc 
able  to  bear  arms,  hold  their  rank.  This  divifion  has 
fometimes  at  its  head  the  chief  of  the  nation,  if  he  has 
fignalized  himfelf  by  any  renowned  adlion,  if  not, 
feme  chief  that  has  rendered  himfclf  famous. 

In  their  councils,  which  are  held  by  the  foregoing 
members,  every  affair  of  confequence  is  debated  j  and 
no  enterprifc  of  the  ieaft  moment  undertaken,  unlefs 
it  there  meets  with  the  ceneral  approbation  of  the 
chiefs.     They  comroofnTy    affemblc  in  it  hut  or 


!'■    f  f  ?t    ir. 


'■■'-'mi  I 


•i. 


i' 


(1 


i% 


ll«iji^^ , 


h  a 


tent 


I50 


CAREER'S  TRAVELS. 


Ill       '"I"! 


tenr  appropriated  to  this  purpofe,  and  being  {e^^ 
ed  in  a  circle  on  th«  ground,  me  elded  chief  rifts  an4 
makes  a  fpeech  ^  when  he  has  concluded,  another 
gctiup  i  and  thus  thev  all  ipeak,  if  neceilary,  by  turus. 

On  this  occalicn  tneir  language  is  nervous,  and 
their  manner  of  "xpreffipii  £phatical.  .  Their  ftite 
is  adorned  witli  imagl^^n^|||irrifons,  andvitrong  mr- 
'  taphors,  and  is  equal  in  allegories  to  that  of  any  of 
the  eadern  nations.  In  all  their  fet  fpeeches  they 
exprefs  themfelves  with  much  vehemence,  but  1u 
common  difcourfe;  accordiiibg  to  our  ufual  method  of 
fpeech.  A^       * 

The  young  men  are  fuffcred  tb  be  preCent  at  the 
councils,  though  thflyire  not  flowed  tomake  afpeech 
till  they  are  regulMp  admitted  ;  they  however  liilen 
with  great  attepti^^and  to  ilR»w  that  they  both  un- 
derhand, and  approve  ox  the  refolutions  taken  by 
the  aflemblcd  chiefs,  they  frequently  exclaim,  "  That 
is  right."  "  That  is  good,'* 

The  cullomary  mode  among  all  the  ranks  of  ex- 
preihng  their  afient,  and  which  they  repeat  at  the 
end  of  Aimoft  every  period,  is  by  uttering  ?t  kind  of 
forcible  afniration,  which  founds  like  an  union  of 
the  letters  bAH. 


CHAPTER    Vli 

OF  7HMIR  FEASTS* 


M. 


■««i 


.ANTof  the  Indian  nations  neither  make 
ufc  of  bread,  fait,  or  fpices  •,  and  feme  of  them  have 
never  fcen  or  tailed  of  ^ther.  The  Naudoweffies  hi 
particular  have  no  bread,  nor  any  fubftitute  for  it. 
They  eat  the  )iKild  rice  which  grows  in  great  quanti- 
Ucs  iii  di^crent'  piiru  oi  their  territories  i  but  they 

boil 


CARVER'S  TRAAtELS. 


'5t 


loilit  and  cat  »t  alone.  They  alfo  eat  the  flefli  of  the 
beads  they  kill>  witholl  having  recourfe  to  any  far- 
inaceous fubilance  to  abforb  the  grofler  particles  of 
it.  And  even  when  they  confume  the  fugar  which 
^ey  have  extra^led  fro|n  the  maple  tree,  they  ufe  it 
tktto  render  /ome  fl^j|^  fo^  palatable,  but  general- 
ly eat  it  .by*  i^clf.        J|    ^ 

Neither  have  they  aftiy^idea  of  the  ufe  of  milk,  al-* 
diough  they  might  collefl:  great  quantities  from  the 
Buftaio  orvtne  elk  j  they  only  confider  it  as  proper  for 
the  nutriment  of  the  youDg  of  thefe  beails  during 
their  tender  ftate.  ,  I  could  not  perceive  that  any 
inconveniency  attended  the  total  difufe  of  articles  e- 
iteemed  fo  neceflary  an  J  nutrit^us  by  otheirnations, 
on  the  contrary,  they  are  in  general  healthy  and  vigo- 
rous. '* 

One  difh  however,  which  anfwers  nearly  the  fame 
purpofe  as  bread,  is  in  ufe  among  the  Ottagaumies, 
the  Saukies,  and  the  more  eaftcrn  nations  M(here  In- 
Uiati  corn  grows,  which  is  not  only  much  efteemcd 
by  them,  but  it  is  reckoned  extremely  palatable  by  all 
the  Europeans  who  enter  their  dominions.  This  is 
compofcd  of  their  unripe  corn  as  befc're  defcribcd, 
and  beans  in  the  fame  (late,  boiled  together  with 
bear's  flefli^  the  fat  of  which  moiftens  the  pulfe,  and 
renders  it  beyond  comparifon  delicious.  They  call 
this  food  Succatoih* 

Tfe«  Indians  are  far  from  being  Cannibals,  as  they 
are  laid  to  be.  All  then*  vi£luals  are  either  roailed 
orboilcdV  and  this  in  the  extreme.  Their  drink  is 
generally  the  broth  in  which  it  has  been  boiled. 

Their  food  confifts  jf  the  flefh  of  the  bear,  the 
bufialo,  the  elk,  the  cfear,  the  beaver,  and  the  racoon  j 
.which  they  prepare  in  the  manner  juft  mentioned. 
Thty  ufually  eat  the  flelh  lof  the  deer  which  is  natu- 
rally dry,  with  that  of  the  bear  which  is  fat  and  jui- 
cy ;  and  though  the  latter  id  extremely  rich  and  luf- 
wous,  it  ia  ucver  known  to  doy.     ""^ 


,! 


.4     V 


j:. 


II 


t 


!  . 


ii 


mil. 


II 


*p 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


»'.»,*  ■h 


'tr 


^  In  the  fpring  of  the  year  th£  Naudoweflies  eat  ffi^ 
infide  bark  of  a  ihhib,  that  tnejr  gather  in  feme  pan 
of  their  country ;  but  I  could  ifdther  learn  the  name 
of  it,  or  difcover  from  whenfe  they  go^  it.  It  was  of 
a  brittle  nature  and  eafily  mafticated.  The  tafte-fif 
it  was  very  agreeable, -aild  tlk\'  faid  it  was  extremely 
nouriihing.  In  fla^vour  it  waf^not  unlike  thf  turnip, 
'and  when  received  into  the  moutli  reiembled  that 
root  both  in  its  pulpous  and  frangible  nature. 

The  lower  ranks  of  the  Indians  ^re  exceedingly 
nady  in  dreflfing  their  vi£iuals,  but  feme  of  the  chieri 
are  very  neat  and  cleanly  in  th^  apjfiirel,  tents  and 
food.  -^ 

They  commonly  o^t  in  large  parties,  To  that  their 
meals  may  properly  be  termed  feafls  ;  and  this  they 
do  without  being  re(lri€led  to  any  fixed  or  regular 
hours,  but  juil  as  their  appetites  require,  and  coa- 
venience  fuits. 

They  ufually  dance  either  before  or  after  every 
meal  •,  and  by  this  cheerfulnefs  probably  tender  the 
Great  Spirit,  to  whom  they  confider  themfelves  as 
indebted  for  every  good,  a  more  acceptable  facrificc 
tlian  a  formal  and  unanimated  thankfgiving.  The 
men  and  women  feaft  apart :  and  each  fex  invite  by 
turns  their  companion*,  to  partake  with  tiiem  of  the 
food  they  happen  to  have ',  but  in  theiv  domsdic  way 
of  living  the  men  and  women  eait  together. 

No  people  are  more  hofpitable,  kind,  and  free  than 
the  Indians.  They  wiilteadily  fhare  v/nh  z^y  of  their 
own  tribe  the  lad  part  of  their  provifions,  and  even 
with  thofe  of  a  different  nation  if  they  chance  to 
come  in  when  th^y  are  eating.  Though  they  do  npt* 
keep  one  commoh  flock,  yet  that  community  ofpoods 
which  is  fo  prevalent  among  them,  and  tJ.ctr  gener- 
ous difpofition,  render  it  nearly  of  tb<(  fame  efFe£l. 

When  the  chiefs  are  convened  on  My  puhXic  bu(i- 
nefs  they  alwfvs  conclude  with  a  feafl,  at  which  thur 
fedivity  and  CAecrful{}e&  knows  no  limits. 

"    ^  CHAPTfiR  Vil. 


D 


Indians  i 
but  this  1 
when  th< 
youth  of 
every  ev€ 
They  I 
feafls. 
mun  rifc( 
freedom 
ploits  of 
who  are 
dancer, 
odd  tone 
founds,  ' 
be  fo  tcr 
ftraincd 
fo  that 
foon  exl 
it  wilh  1 
cntertaii 
The  ^ 
lions,  d; 
ereft,  ai 
fides,  n 
back  ag 
without 
*  but  wit 
toes  ani 
agility 
let  thoi 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


^5$ 


CHAPTER     Vir. 
OF  THEIR  DANCES. 

JJaNCING  is  a  fHvoritc  cxercifc  amonjr  tht 
Indians  \  they  never  meet  on  any  public  occurion, 
but  this  makes  a  part  of  the  entertaini::ient.  And 
when  they  are  not  engaged  in  war  or  hunting,  the 
youth  of  both  fexes  amufe  themfelves  in  this  manner 
every  evening. 

They  always  dance,  as  I  have  juft  obfcrved,  at  their 
feafls.  In  thefe  as  well  as  all  other  dances,  every 
m^n  rifcs  in  his  turn,  and  moves  about  with  great 
freedom  and  boldnefs  j  finging  as  he  does  fo,  the  ex- 
ploits of  his  anceftors*  During  this  the  company 
who  are  feated  on  the  ground  in  a  circle,  around  the 
dancer,  join  with  him  in  mjdcing  the  cadence,  by  an 
odd  tone,  which  they  utter  all  together,  and  which 
founds,  "  Heh,  heh,  neh."  Thefe  notes,  if  they  might 
be  fo  termed,  are  articulated  with  a  harfti  accent,  and 
drained  out  with  the  otmoft  force  of  their  lungs : 
fo  that  one  would  imagine  their  ftrength  muft  b« 
foon  exhaufled  by  it  j  inftead  of  which,  they  repeat 
it  wi'h  the  fame  violence  during  the  whole  of  theif 
entertainment. 

The  women,  particularly  thofe  of  the  weflcrn  na- 
tions, dance  very  gracefully.  They  carry  themfelvet 
ereft,  and  with  their  arms  hanging  down  clofe  to  their 
fides,  move  fiift  a  fe  at  yards  to  the  right,  and  then 
back  again  to  the  left.  This  movement  they  perform 
without  taking  any  fteps  aran  European  would  do, 
*butwith  their  feet  conjoined,  moving  by  turns  their 
toes  and  heels.  In  this  manner  they  glide  with  great 
agility  to  a  certain  diftance,  and  then  return  j  and 
let  thofc  who  join  in  the  dance  be  ever  fo  numerous, 

they 


1 1 


'wi 


iif. 


:<     I 


i; 


r  i 


li 


m  m.  im^ 


»/4 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


' 


Ul 


1^ 


VY, 


m 


I 


they  keep  time  fo  exa<Slly  with  each  other  that  no- 
interruption  enfucs.  During  this,  at  ftated  pcriodi 
they  mingle  their  flnil)  voices,  with  the  hoarier  onei 
of  the  men,  who  fit  around  (for  it  is  to  be  obferved 
that  the  fexcs  never  intermix  in  the  fame  dance) 
which,  with  the  mufic  of  the  drums  and  chichicoes, 
make  an  agreeable  harmony.' 

The  Indians  have  feveral  kinds  of  dances,  which 
they  ufe  on  different  occafions,  as  the  Pipe  or  Calu- 
met Dance,  the  War  Dance,  the  Marriage  Dance, 
and  the  Dance  of  the  Sacrifice.  The  movements  in 
every  oneofthefe  arediffimilar  j  but  it  isalmoftim- 
poflible  to  convey  any  idea  of  the  points  in  which 
they  are  unlike. 

Different  nations  Hkewifjc  vary  in  their  manner  of 
dancing.  The  Chipeway  throw  themfelves  into  a 
greater  variety  of  attitudes  than  any  other  people} 
fometimes  they  hold  their  heads  erecSt,  at  others  they 
bend  ihem  almoft  to  the  ground ;  then  recline  on 
one  fide,  and  imn>ediately  after  on  the  other.  The 
Naudowcflics  carry  themfelves  more  upright,  ftep 
iirmer,  and  move  more  gracefully.  But  they  all  ac- 
compp.ny  their  dances  with  the  diiagreeable  noife  juft 
tt^cntioned. 

The  Pipe  Dance,  is  the  principal,  and  the  moft 
j^leafing  to  a  fpe£lator  of  any  of  them,  being  the  lead 
frantic,  and  the  movement  of  it  moft;  graceful.  It  is 
but  on  particular  occafions  that  it  is  ui'ed  ;  as  when 
ambafladors  from  an  enemy  arrive  to  treat  of  peace, 
or  when  (Irangers  of  eminence  pafs  through  their 
territories. 

The  War  Dance,  which  they  ufe  both  before  they 
fet  out  on  their  war  parties,  and  on  their  return  from 
them,  ftrikes  terror  into  ftrangers.  It  is  performed, 
as  the  others,  amidft  a  circle  of  the  warriors  *,  a  chief 
generally  begins  it,  who  moves  from  the  right  to  the 
left,  fmging  at  the  fame  time  both  his  own  exploits, 
and  thofe  of  his  anceftcrs.    When  he  has  concluded 

his 


CARVKR-s  TRAVf-LS. 


5S 


j^g  account  of  any  mcmor?.!)':-*  action,  he  g'ves  a  vio^ 
lent  blow  with  his  war-club,  againlt  a  poll  that  is 
fixed  in  the  ground,  near  the  cciftre  of  the  afTembly, 
for  this  purpofe.  ^  v 

Every  one  dances  in  his  turn,  and  recapitulates 
tlic  wondrous  deeds  of  his  family,  till  they  all  at  lall 
join  in  the  dancj.  I'hen  it  becomes  truly  alarming 
to  any  llranger  that  happens  to  be  among  them,  as 
they  throw  themfelves  into  every  horrible  and  ter- 
, laying  pofture  that  can  be  imagined,  reheaifing  at 
the  fume  time  the  pirts  they  expe£l:  to  a£l  againfl 
their  enemies  in  tU:  field.  During  thia  they  liold 
their  Iharp  knives  in  their  hands,  with  whicli,  as  they 
whirl  ab'jui,  they  arc  every  moment  in  danger  of 
cutting  each  other's  throats  ;  and  did  they  not  (Imn 
ihe  threatened  mifcliief  with  inconceivable  dexterity, 
it  could  not  be  avoided.  13y  thefe  motions  they  in- 
tend to  rcprefent  the  mannsr  in  v/luch  they  kill.fcalp, 
and  take  their  priloners.  To  lieighten  the  fcene, 
they  fct  up  the  fame  hldeonn  yells,  cries,  and  war- 
whoops  they  ufe  hi  tiuiC  of  a<ilion  :  fo  that  it  is  im- 
poillble  to  confider  them  in  any  other  light  than  as 
an  aflembly  of  demons. 

I  have  frequently  joined  in  this  dance  with  them, 
but  it  foon  ceafed  to  be  an  amufement  to  me,  as  I 
could  not  lay  afide  my  apprehenfions  of  receiving 
fome  dreadful  wound,  that  from  the  violence  of  their 
gefturea  mufi:  have  proved  mortal. 

I  found  that  the  nations  to  the  v/eflward  of  the 
MiQilippi,  and  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Superior,  ftill 
continue  to  make  ufi*  of  the  Pav^^waw  or  Black  Dance. 
The  people  of  the  colonies  tell  a  tlj^pufand  ri«.!iculous 
(lories  of  the  Devi!  being  raifed  in  this  dance  by  the 
hidians.  But  they  allow  that  Hii .  i  in  former 
times,  and  is  now  nearly  extin/f  aUK'ng  I  hole  who 
live  adjacent  to  Uit:  European  rellleniciits.  /I<>uevcff 
Idifcovcred  that  it  w.ir,  dill  ufe<l  !ii  (!>/,  intt  lioi  pirts^ 
and  though  I  did  not  adually  ke  ihe  DtfVi)  >,'•'    'If 


.'■^s 


'?•■ 


■W 


1, 

; 

m 

t-te 

-  -  iS 

^ 


1S6 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


■in  f>4V 


i^L^i 


it,  I  was  v/ltnefs  to  fome  fcencs  that  couUl  only  i)^ 
perforr  id  bv  uci^s  dealt  vi'ith  him^  or  were  vcrv 
expert  •  '<^*ui,;>arou3  jugglers, 

WliiU.  ;  among  the  Naudoweflics,  a  danrc 

which  thc^  ius ,?  mcd,  was  performed.  Before  the 
dance  began,  oiic  oi  he  Indians  was  admitted  into  a 
fociety  which  they  denominated  Wakon-Kitchewah, 
that  is,  the  Friendly  Society  of  the  Spirit.  This  fo. 
cicty  is  compofed  of  pcrfons  of  both  fexes,  but  fuch 
only  can  be  admitted  into  it  as  are  of  uncxceptiona. 
ble  character,  and  who  receive  the  approbation  of  the 
whole  body.  To  this  admiffion  fucceeded  the  Paw- 
waw  Dance  (in  which  I  faw  nothing  that  could  give 
rife  to  the  reports  I  had  heard)  and  the  whole,  ac- 
cording to  their  ufual  cuftom,  concluded  with  a  grand 
/eaft. 

The  initiation  being  attended  Avith  fome  very  fin. 
gular  circumftarrces,  which,  as  I  have  before  obferv. 
ed,  muft  be  either  the  tffc€t  of  magic,  or  of  amazing 
.dexterity,  I  fli.ali  give  a  particular  account  of  the 
whole  procedure.  It  was  performed  at  the  time  of 
the  new  moon,  in  a  place  appropriated  to  the  pur. 
pofe,  near  the  centre  of  their  camp,  that  would  con- 
Uin  about  two  hundred  people.  Being  a  ftranger, 
nnd  on  all  occalions  treated  by  rhem  with  great  civi*. 
lity,  I  was  invited  to  fee  the  ceremony,  and  placed 
clofe  to  the  rails  of  the  inclofure. 

About  twelve  o'clock  they  began  to  alTcmble; 
when  the  fun  Ihonc  bright,  which  they  confidercd  as 
a  good  omen,  for  they,  never  by  choice  hold  any  of 
their  public  meetings  unleJs  the  Iky  be  clear  and  un- 
clouded.  A  great  number  of  chiefs  fivft  appeared, 
who  were  drellcd  in  their  bcft  r;j>parcl ;  and  after 
them  came  the  liend-warrior,  cl.id  in  a  long  robe  of 
rich  furs,  that  trailed  on  the  ground,  attended  by  a 
retinue  of  fifteen  or  twenty  perfons,  painted  and 
tlrefl'ed  in  the  gayeft  manniT.  Next  followed  the 
wives  of  fuch  as  had  han  already  admitted  into  thi 

fociety ; 


CARVLR's  TRAVELS. 


>57 


(ockty  ;  and  in  the  rear  a  confufcd  heap  of  the  low- 
er ranks,  all  contrihuting  as  muth  as  lay  in  their 
puwertomake  the  appearance  grand  and  (howy. 

When  the  afleinbly  was  feated,  and  filcncc  pro- 
cbinietl,  one  of  the  principal  chiefs  arofe,  and  in  a 
ihort  but  maflerly  fpcech  informed  his  audience  of 
the  occafion  of  their  meeting.  He  acquainted  them 
that  one  of  their  young  men  wiihcd  to  be  admitted 
into  their  fcciety  \  and  taking  him  by  the  hand  pre- 
fentcJ  him  to  thtir  view,  aiiclng  them  at  the  fame 
time,  whether  they  had  any  objection  to  his  becom- 


111* 


cne  of  their  community. 


No  objecUon  being  maile,  the  young  candidate 
was  p'liCcd  in  the  centre,  and  four  of  the  chiefs  took 
their  ILrJons  clofe  to  him  ;  after  exhorting  him,  by- 
turns,  not  to  faint  under  the  operation  he  was  about 
to  go  tlirough,  but  to  behave  like  an  Indian  and  a 
man,  two  of  them  took  hold  of  his  arms,  and  caufed. 
him  to  kneel ;  another  placed  himfelf  behind  him,  fo 
as  to  receive  him  v.'h.en  he  fell,  and.the  laft  of  the 
four  retired  to  the  didunce  of  about  twelve  feet  from 
him  exactly  in  front. 

This  difpofition  being  completed,  the  chief  than 
ftood  before  the  kneeling  candidate,  began  to  fpeak 
to  Iiim  with  an  audible  voice.  He  told  him  that  he 
himll'if  was  now  agitated  by  the  fame  fpirit  which 
he  (liould  in  a  few  moments  comniunicate  to  him  ; 
that  it  v/ould  ftrike  him  dead,  but  that  he  would  in- 
Itantly  be  relioicd  again  to  life  :  to  this  he  added, 
that  the  communication  howe^Cx*  terrifying,  was  a 
ncceliary  introdu(^lion  to  the  advantages  enjoyed  by 
the  community  into  which  hi  was  on  tne  point  of  be- 
ing au  mitred. 

As  he  fpoks  this,  he  appeared  to  be  greatly  nt.'ltat- 
ed  ;  till  at  lall  his  eniotioiis  became  fo  violeni,  that 
his  counu nance  w.is  diilorted,  and  his  whole  frame 
couvuifed.  At  this  jun«5ture  he  threv/  ibmcthing  tJiat 
appeared  both  in   Ihape  and  color  like  ii  finull  bean, 

O  at 


I. ';  ? 


•fi  ii'UiJ 


158 


CARVKK's  TRAVELS. 


■-f^. .  '^:.:  ' 


ac  the  young  man,  wliich  fecmccl  to  enter  his  mouth 
;nul  he  inltantly  fell  as  niotionlcfs  as  if  he  hail  been 
iliot.  The  chief  that  was  placed  behind  him  rccciv- 
cd  him  in  his  arms,  and,  by  the  artillance  of  the  oU\er 
two,  hiid  him  on  the  ground  to  all  appearance  bereft 
of  life. 

Having  done  this,  they  immediately  brpan  to  rub 
his  limbs,  and  to  ilrike  him  oji  the  back,  jMvinf;;  liim 
fuch  blows,  as  feemcd  more  calculated  to  Itill  the 
quick,  than  to  rnifc  the  dead.  During  thefe  extrjor- 
»llnary  applications,  the  fpcakcr  continued  his  ha. 
rangue,  delirinu;  the  fpeclators  not  to  be  furprifeJ,or 
to  difpair  of  tiio  young  man's  recovery,  as  iiis  pre- 
fent  inanimate  fituatiiMi  proccedctl  only  from  th.' for- 
cible operation  of  the  fpirit,  on  facullies  tl.'^'t  had  hi. 
therto  been  unufed  to  infpirations  of  this  kind. 

The  candidate  lay  fevcral  minutes  uithcut  fenfc 
or  motion  ;  but  at  length,  after  receiving  many  vio- 
lent blows,  he  begun  to  difeovcr  fome  fymj^tonis  of 
returning  life  T  hcfc,  however,  were  attended  with 
ib'ong  convulfions,  and  an  apparent  obftruclivin  in 
his  thro.it.  Bur  ihev  were  loon  at  an  end  ;  for  hav- 
ing  difchargcd  from  hi-i  mouih  the  bean,  or  v.liat- 
ever  it  was  that  the  ciuef  iiad  thrown  at  him,  but 
whix;h  on  the  clofeil  iiifpcclion  I  had  not  percuivcJ 
to  enter  it,  he  foon  afici  appeared  to  be  tokrably 
recovered. 

This  part  of  the  ceremony  beinoj  happily  cffeded, 
the  olhciating  chiefs  dilVobeJ  him  of  the  clothes  he 
had  ufually  worn,  nnd.put  on  him  a  fet  of  apnarcl  en- 
tirely new.  Whjn  he  wasdieflcd,  t'le  fpcakcr  once 
more  took  him  by  the  h.and,  and  prtfent^d  him  ta 
the  Ibciety  as  a  regular  and  tlioroughlv  iiiiti;itfd 
member,  exhorting  them,  ;U  the  fame  rline,  to  give 
him  fuch  neceiVary  aihltance,  as  bcijig  a  young  nn-m- 
bcr,  he  n\ij^;ht  (land  in  need  of.  He  then  .dft  charg- 
ed tl:c  newly  elec^cd  brotlier  to  receive  widi  liiimihry, 
and  to  follow  v  ith  puuctuaUty  the  advice  cf  his  eMcr 
brethren.  All 


CARVKR's  TRAVK1.S. 


'50 


All  tlu  fe  who  had  hef.Mi  .-iclinittctl  viihin  the  v.til^, 
now  fornutl  a  circle  ;nouiul  their  lU'w  hrcjthir,  ami 
the  mufic  linking  up,  the  groat  chiof  J'utig  a  loti;^, 
celebrating  us  iilual  il»cir  martial  exploits. 

The  only  mufic  ihcy  make  ufc  ot  is  a  tlruin,  M'hi»:h 
!•;  conjpoi'dcl  of  a  piece  of  a  hollow  tree  curloufly 
wrought,  atul  over  one  end  of  wliieh  is  llrained  ii, 
jjciii,  this  they  beat  with  a  Angle  flick,  and  it  gives  a 
found  that  is  far  from  harmonious,  but  it  julV  llrves 
to  beat  time  with.  To  this  ihcy  Ibmetimes  add  the 
chichicoe,  and  in  their  war  dances  they  likcwifc  ufc 
a  kind  of  fife,  formed  of  a  rccd,  wliich  makes  a  flirill 
harfti  noifc. 

The  whole  aflcmbly  were  by  this  time  utiited,  and 
the  dance  began  ;  Icveral  fingera  aOlfted  the  mufiG 
with  their  voices,  and  the  women  joining  in  the 
chorus  at  certain  intervals,  they  produced  together  a 
jiut  unpleaiing  but  favage  liarniony.  Tliis  was  one 
Cf  the  moll  agreeable  entertjinments  1  law  whilll  I 
was  among  them. 

1  could  not  help  laughinii;  at  a  lingular  clilldini 
cullom  I  obfcrvcd  tliey  introduced  into  this  dance,  and 
which  was  the  only  one  that  had  the  leail:  appearance 
of  conjuration.  Moll  of  rlie  members  carried  in 
their  hands  an  otter  or  martin's  lk;n,  v,l;icii  being 
taken  whole  from  the  body,  and  filled  witTi  wind,  oii 
beiufT  comprcflcd  made  a  Iqucakirg  nolle  throueh  a 
fmall  piece  of  wood  organically  formed  and  fixed  in, 
itt)  mouth.  When  this  inlirumeiit  was  presented  to 
the  facs  of  any  olf  the  compiuiy,  and  the  iouiidcinii.- 
teil,  the  perffu  leceivin;;  it  ;nit'antiy-  fdl  do^^n  to  up- 
pearance  dead.  iSomttinics  iv.  o  crt"  thjec,  Ijuih  iren 
and  women,  were  on  the  jrroui.d  together ;  but  im- 
mediately recovering,  they  voil-  up  rnui  joiucd  .-^niii 
in  the  dance.  This  feemcd  to  aflord,cvcii  the  clip's 
themfelves,  infinite  divcrfion.  I  afterwards  lenri»ed 
that  thele  were  their  l)ii  Penates  or  Hcuiclicid 
Gods. 

After 


'-M\ 


mi 


'^t 


^\U 


1 

» 

! 

1 

1 

1 

itM 

J^ 

mi^k 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

I: 


i6o 


CARVr.R's  'IRAVia.S. 


'•i 


rW'i' 


After  feme  hours  Ipcnt  in  this  manner  the  fcaf^ 
began  J  the  diflies  being  brought  near  me,  I  pcicciv- 
eil  that  they  confided  of  clog's  flclh  ;  and  I  was  in- 
formed  that  all  their  public  grand  feafis  they  never 
made  ufe  of  any  other  kind  of  food.  Tor  tliis  pur- 
pole,  at  the  fjalt  I  am  now  (peaking  of,  the  new  can- 
<lid.ite  provides  fat  dog<,  if  they  can  be  procured  at 
any  price. 

in  this  cuftom  of  eating  dog's  flefli  on  particular 
occafions,  they  relcmble  the  inhabitants  of  foine  of 
the  countries  that  lie  on  the  north-eafl  borders  of 
Afia.  1  lie  autlior  of  the  account  of  Kamfchatka, 
publifhed  by  order  of  the  Emprefs  of  Ruflia  (before 
referred  to)  inform  us,  that  the  people  inhabiting;  Ko- 
Tcka,  a  country  north  of  Kamfchatka,  who  wander 
about  in  hordes  like  the  Arabs,  when  they  pay  their 
worfhip  to  the  evil  beini^s,  kill  a  rein-deer  or  a  dog, 
the  flelh  of  which  they  eat,  and  leave  the  head  and 
tongue  nicking  on  a  pole  with  tlie  front  towards  the 
call.  Alfo  tiut  when  they  are  afraid  of  any  iufedi- 
ous  diRemper,  they  kill  a  dog,  and  winding  the  guts 
about  two  poles,  pafs  between  them.  Thcle  cuftoms, 
in  which  they  are  nearly  imitated  by  the  Indians,  fecm 
to  add  llrength  to  my  Inppoliiion,  that  America  was 
firil  peopled  from  this  quarter. 

1  know  not  cnder  what  cli.fs  of  dances  to  rank  that 
performed  by  tlie  Indians  wliocame  to  my  teiu  when 
I  hmded  near  I^akc  Pepin,  on  the  banks  of  the  Mif- 
lifippi,  as  related  in  my  Journal.  When  I  looked 
tut,  as  I  there  nientioned,  I  Ihw  about  twenty  naked 
young  Indians,  the  moft  perfect  in  their  (hnpe,  and 
by  far  the  handfomcfl  of  any  I  had  ever  feen,  coming 
towards  me,  and  dancing  as  they  approached,  to  the 
mufic  of  their  drums.  At  every  ten  or  twelve  yards 
iliey  halted,  and  fct  up  their  yells  and  cries. 

When  they  reached  my  tent,  1  alked  them  to  come 
in ;  which,  witliout  deigning  to  make  me  any  anfwcr, 
they  did.     As  I  obferved  that  they  were  painted  red 

and 


rciblu 
for  af 
down 
blc  OK 


CARVER'S  TRAVr.LS. 


i6t 


p.rticular 
Toine  of 
orders  of 
mfclnuka, 
"';i  (before 

►   wander 

p;»y  thrir 

or  a  (log, 

Ilea  J  and 

ward  J  the 

^y  iiifcdl- 

R  the  guts 

-  cufloms, 

ians,  ftcm 

erica  ^va8 

rank  that 
:ent  wjicn 
thcMif- 
I  looked 
itv  naked 
npe,  and 
;,  coming, 
tl,  to  tlie 
Ive  yard] 

I  to  come 

r  anfwcr, 

ntctl  red 

and 


ind  black,  as  tliey  ufually  are  wlicn  they  {^o  agaiiifl 
an  enemy,  and  perceived  th.it  fomc  parts  ot  the  war- 
dance  were  intermixed  with  their  other  nioNcnitnts, 
I  doubted  not  but  they  were  fet  on  by  tlie  inimical  chief 
who  Iiad  refufcd  my  faliitation  :  I  therefore  deter- 
mined to  fell  my  life  as  dear  as  pofTible.  To  tlii:j 
purpofe,  I  received  them  fittinp^  on  \i\j  chel>,  with 
niy  gun  and  pillols  hefide  me,  ami  ordered  my  men 
to  keep  a  watchful  eye  on  them,  and  to  be  alfo  up». 
their  guard. 

7"he  Indians  being  entered,  they  continued  their 
dance  alternately,  finging  at  the  fame  time  of  their 
heroic  exploits,  and  the  I'uperiority  of  their  race  over 
every  other  people.  'i'o  enforce  their  language, 
though  it  was  uncommonly  nervous  ind  exprelfne, 
and  fuch  as  would  of  itfelf  hav<»  carried  terror  to  the 
firmcit  heart,  at  the  end  of  every  period  they  Itruck 
their  war-clubs  againll  the  poles  of  m.y  tent,  with 
fuch  violence,  rjiat  1  cxpedled  every  moment  it  would 
have  tumbled  upon  us.  As  each  of  them,  in  danc- 
ing rounil,  paflcd  by  me,  they  placed  their  right  hands 
over  tlieir  eyes,  and  coming  dole  to  me,  looked  me 
fteadiiv  in  the  face,  which  1  could  not  conitrue  into 
a  token  of  friendlhip.  My  men  gave  themfelves  up 
for  loH:,  and  1  acknov  'edge,  for  my  own  part,  that  I 
never  found  my  appre/icnfions  more  tumultuous  on 
any  occalion. 

When  tlicy  had  nearly  ended  th.eir  dance,  I  pre- 
fenteii  to  them  the  pipe  of  peace,  but  they  woulil  not 
receive  it.  1  then,  as  my  lail  refource,  thought  I 
would  try  what  prefents  would  do  •,  accordingly  I 
took  from  my  chefl  fome  riband*  and  trinkets,  whicli 
I  laid  before  them.  Thefe  fecmed  to  dagger  their 
rcfolutions,  and  to  avert  in  fome  degree  their  anger  ; 
for  after  holding  a  confultation  together,  they  fat 
down  on  the  ground,  which  I  confidered  as  a  favora- 
ble omen, 

O  a  Thus 


i 


i6i 


CARVER'S  TR.Wia.S. 


i 


'  Thus  It  proved,  as  in  a  fliort  time  tliov  receivcil  ilic 
pipe  of  peace,  am!  iij^^liting  it,  tirll  pielentccl  it  to  'r.c 
and  then  linoked  with  it  themfclves.  8oon  after  thcv 
took  up  the  prcfents,  which  h:iJ  liitherto  lain  ni'jrleft. 
ed,  and  appearing  to  be  greatly  pleafed  with  iliem, 
departed  in  a  friendly  manner.  And  never  did  I  re- 
ceive greater  pleafure  than  at  getting  rid  of  fuch  for- 
midable guefts. 

It  was  not  ever  in  my  power  to  gain  3  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  defigns  of  my  vifitors.  I  had  fuf- 
iicicnt  reafon  to  conclude  that  they  were  hoflilc,  and 
tliat  their  vifit,  at  fo  late  an  hour,  was  made  through 
tlie  inlligrttion  of  the  Grand  Sautor  ;  but  I  was  after- 
wards informed  that  it  might  be  intended  as  a  com- 
(>liment  which  they  ufually  pay  to  the  chiefs  of  every 
Dthcr  nation  who  happen  to  fail  in  with  them,  and 
ihai  the  circumltances  in  their  conducft,  which  had 
:ippeared  fo  fufpicious  to  me,  were  merely  the  eftccli 
uf  their  vanity,  and  defigncd  to  iinprcfs  on  the  minds 
of  iliofc  whom  they  tlius  vifitcd  an  elevated  opinion 
nf  their  valor  and  prowefs.  In  the  morning  before 
1  continued  mv  route,  fevcval  of  their  wives  brought 
me  a  prefent  of  ibme  fugar,  for  whom  1  found  a  Itw 
more  ribands. 

M'he  dance  of  the  facrificc  is  not  (o  denominated 
from  their  offering  up  at  the  fame  time  a  facritice  to 
•.\ny  good  or  evil  fpiiit,  but  is  a  dance  to  which  the 
jXaudoweffies  give  that  title  from  being  ufed  when 
-•ny  public  fortunate  circumdance  befalls  thcni. 
Whim  I  refided  among  them,  a  line  large  deer  acci- 
dentally ftrayed  into  the  middle  of  their  cneampm»  nt, 
wliich  they  foon  deftroyed.  As  this  liappenc<!  juft 
:^.  lac  new  moon,  they  clleemcd  it  a  lucky  omen-,  and 
having  roaited  it  vhule,  eveiy  one  in  the  camp  {ar- 
tvok  of  itc  After  tiicir  fealt,  they  all  joined  in  ;i 
dr.ncc,  which  they  termed,  from  its  being  fbn^ev/hat 
uf  a  rejigiou?  nature,  ?.  dance  cf  the  facriiice. 

CliAPTliK  VIII. 


CARVKR'i  TRAVELS. 


163 


eivciltlif 
1  it  to  .v.c, 
yttcr  tluv 

ith  uicip, 

r  tiid  1  ri:- 

fuch  lor- 

tliornugh 

Had  fuf. 

aftilc,  and 

Nvas  aftcr- 

as  ^  com- 

;>  of  every 

Hem,  and 

^hich  had 

He  cftecls 

tHc  minds 

|ci  opinion 

ng  before 

s  brought 

uiul  a  Ifw 

lominatcd 
icrifice  to 
wHich  the 
4 fed  when 
lis  theiii. 
doer  ;Kci- 
iiiij[)n)ent, 
)cnc(!  jufl 
men ;  and 
air»p  {ar- 
)incd  in  ;\ 
fbmcv/hat 

:  Viii. 


CHAP  T  K  R    Vlir. 
OF  Tli£iR  HUNTLVG. 


JrlUNTIXG  is  tlie  principle  occupation  of  tHc 
Indians ;  tHey  arc  trained  to  it  from  tlicir  carlicd; 
vouth,  ?nd  it  is  an  exercifc  uHicH  is  cdceuied  no  lcft> 
honorable  than  iiecefTiiry  towards  their  fubililcnce. 
A  dexterous  and  reiolutc  hunter  is  Held  nearly  in  as 
great  eilimatlon  Hy  them  as  a  dillinguHlied  warrior. 
Scarcely  any  device  wHich  the  ingenuity  of  man  lias 
difcovered  for  enfnaring  or  dertri-yiiig  thofe  animalr. 
that  fupply  them  witli  food,  or  wh.ofc  ikins  are  valu- 
able to  Europeans,  is  unknown  to  them. 

WHilll  they  are  engaged  in  tliis  exercire,  they 
fliakc  oil"  the  indolence  peculiar  to  their  nature,  and 
become  acVive,  perfcvering,  r.!ul  indefaligabl:.  '1  hey 
are  equally  fugacious  in  lii-uiing  their  prey,  and  in 
the  means  they  ufc  to  dcfiroy  it.  They  dilccrn  tl.c 
footflcp.s  of  the  beads  ihcy  are  in  purfult  of,  although 
they  are  impercepiible  to  every  other  cye»  and  can 
fo'low  them  with  certainty  through  thepalhlefs  forelK 

The  hearts  that  the  Indians  hunt,  botli  for  their 
flelh  on  which  they  fubfilt,  and  for  their  ikins,  of 
V'hieh  they  cither  make  their  apparel,  or  barter  with 
the  Europeans  for  necciiaries,  arcthebullVlo,  the  elk,, 
the  deer,  the  mooA%  carribbf  o,  the  bear,  the  beaver, 
the  otier,  the  martin,  &c.  1  defer  giving  a  defcvip- 
tion  of  thefe  creatures  here,  and  ihall  only  ut  prefent 
treat  of  their  manner  ci  hunting  them. 

The  route  they  ihall  take  for  tliis  purpofc,  and  the 
parties  that  ihall  go  on  the  diiIli«*ot  expeditions  are 
Hxcd  in  their  general  councils,  which  are  held  fomc 
time  m  the  fu'iuncr,  when  all  tlie  operation!^  for  the 
enfuing  v.'iiuer  urc  concluded  on,      T.hc  chief-war- 

Tior, 


r 

1 

■  IE 

i. 

V-' 

i 

1  ■** 

ii;: » 

s  ■  I 

i 

ifi 

iv 

J 

. 

■111* 


T6jf 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


rior,  whofe  province  it  Is  to  regulate  their  proceed- 
ings  on  this  occufion,  with  great  Iblcmnity  iflues  out 
an  invitation  to  tliofc  who  choofe  to  attend  him  ;  for 
the  Indians,  as  before  oblerved,  acknowledge  no  fu. 
periority,  nor  have  they  any  idea  of  compuifion -,  and 
every  one  that  accepts  it,  prepares  himfclf  by  fafunp 
during  fevcral  days. 

The  Indians  do  not  fad:  as  foine  other  nations  do, 
on  the  richefl;  and  mod  luxurious  food,  but  they  to- 
tally abltain  from  every  kind  either  of  victuals  or 
drink  ;  and  fuch  is  their  patience  and  r^^folut'on,  th«i 
the  moll:  extreme  thirft  could  not  oblige  tl.cin  to 
talte  a  drop  of  vvater  •,  yet  amiclli.  ihis  fevere  .•tblij. 
nenct  they  appear  cheerful  and  h.ippy. 

The  reafonsthey  give  for  thus  f;utiiig,  ar-.*,  tl-.nt  It 
enables  them  freely  to  dream,  in  which  dre.i'ns  they 
arc  informed  where  they  ihall  imd  the  greatelt  pLiity 
of  game  ;  a1fo  that  it  averts  the  dlfpleafure  of  tiie 
evil  fpirits,  and  induces  them  to  be  propitious.  Tluy 
»Ifo  on  theie  occafions  blacken  thofc  pans  of  liicir 
boilies  that  are  uncovered. 

The  fad  being  ended,  and  the  place  of  lumting 
made  kjiovvn,  the  chief  who  is  to  condmH:  thcin,  ^;ivcs 
a  grand  fcail  to  thofc  who  are  to  form  the  liilicrnit 
partie.'. ;  of  wliieli  none  of  them  d.ire  to  part:'  c  till 
they  have  bathed  themfelves.  Ar  this  fc.iil,  not- 
withilanding  they  have  failed  (o  long,  they  eat  with 
great  motleraUon  j  and  the  chief  that  preiiJes  em- 
ploys hinifel!  in  reheariing  the  feats  of  rhofe  who  liavc 
been  molt  fuccef?ful  in  the  bufmefs  they  are  about 
to  enter  upon.  They  foon  after  (^t  out  on  the  ni.irtli 
towards  the  place  appointed,  painted  or  r.ithcr  W' 
dawbed  witii  black,  aniidil  the  aeciamaticns  of  all 
the  people. 

It  is  impofhble  to  defcribc  their  agility  or  perfevcr- 
ance,  whilll  they  are  in  purfuit  of  their  piey  ;  nei- 
ther tliickcts,  tlitches,  torrents,  pools,  or  rivers  iiop 
themj  Hkj  always  go  itr;iijjht  igrwi>rd  in  tlie  molt 

4liK<^ 


dog,  ani 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i6s 


tlirccl  line  they  poflibJy  can,  and  there  arc  ffw  of  l)ic 
fiiv.igc  inhabitants  of  the  wootls  that  they  cannot 
overtake. 

When  they  hunt  for  bc«rs,  .tlicy  endeavour  tc  find. 
out  tlicir  retreats  ;  for,  during  the  wint-r,  thcfe  ani- 
mals conceal  themfclve.s  in  the  hollow  trunks  of  trees* 
or  make  ihenifeives  holes  in  l!ic  j^round,  where  il.cy 
cotuiiiue  witliout   food,   whillL  tlie  fcvcrc   weather 

lafts. 

When  the  Indians  think  they  have  arrived  at  a 
place  where  thefc  creatures  ifually  haunt,  they  form 
themfelves  into  a  circle  according  to  their  number, 
and  moving  onward,  endeavour,  as  they  advance  to- 
wards the  centre,  to  difcover  tlic  retreats  of  their 
prey.  Hy  this  means,  if  any  lie  in  the  intermediate 
i'pate,  they  are  fure  of  arouling  them,  and  bringing 
them  down  either  with  tlieir  bows  or  their  guns; 
The  bears  will  take  to  flight  at  fight  of  a  man  or  a 
dog,  and  will  only  make  refillance  when  they  arc 
extremely  hungry,  or  after  they  are  wounded. 

The  Indian  method  of  hunting  the  buffalo  is  by 
forming  a  circle  or  a  fquarc,  nearly  in  the  fame  man- 
ner a:,  w  hen  they  fearch  for  tlic  bear.  Having  taken 
their  ditl'erent  ftations,  they  fct  the  grafs,  which  at 
this  time  is  rank  and  dry,  on  fire,  and  ihcfc  animals, 
who  arc  extremely  fp.arful  of  that  element,-  flying 
with  precipitation  before  it,  great  numbers  arc  hem- 
med in  a  Imall  coitipafs,  and  fcarccly  a  fingle  one 
cfcapes 

They  have  different  ways  of  hunthig  the  elk,  the 
cfecr,  and  the  carriboo.  Sometimes  they  feek  thcni 
out  in  the  woods,  to  which  they  retire  during  the 
fcverity  of  the  cold,  where  they  are  eafily  fliot  from 
behind  the  trees.  In  the  more  northern  climates 
they  take  the  advantage  of  the  weather  to  dcllroy  the 
tlk;  when  the  fun  has  juft  (Ircngth  enough  to  melt 
the  fnow,  and  the  froil  in  the  night  forms  a  kind  of 
cruH  on  the  fuiiuce^  this  creature  being  heavy,  breaks 

it 


'  \ 


i66 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


d* 


n 


f'N'f;  " 


it  with  liis  forked  hoofs,  and  with  difficultv  extri- 
cates himfelf  from  it :  at  this  time  thtreioi'c  lie  is 
loon  overtaken  and  dellvoycd. 

Some  nations  have  a  method  of  hunting  tlufcanU 
mals  which  is  more  eafily  executed,  and  free  from 
<ian!;er.  Tiie  huntiup;  party  divide  tiiemfclves  into 
two  bands,  and  ehooling  a  Ipot  near  the  borders  of 
tome  river,  one  party  embarks  on  board  their  canoes, 
whilll  tl:e  other  lorming  themfelves  into  a  fcnu-cl-- 
cle  on  the  land,  the  flanks  of  which  reach  the  fliore, 
let  loofe  their  dogs,  and  by  this  means  roufe  all  t'*;? 
game  that  Hes  within  thefe  bounds ;  they  then  -trivt 
th<'m  towards  the  liver,  into  which  they  r»o  toucy 
cnrer,  than  the  greatelt  part  of  them  are  inmicii ,  •- 
iy  difpatched  by  thofc  wlio  remain  ip  the  c^noei. 

Both  the  elk  and  buffV.Io  are  very  fi?r'o  - .  whm 
they  are  wounded,  and  will  return  fie  *cel^'  on  thfir 
purfuers,  and  trampj  a  em  under  their  feet,  if  tiic 
hunter  finds  no  means  tc  -i..- i'-^te  their  dcflrucl '/on, 
or  does  not  feek  ''r  feeurrtt  in  light  to  fomc  K-ja- 
cent  tree  j  by  this  methoa  u.cy  arc  frequently  avoid- 
ed, and  fo  tired  with  the  purfuit,  iliaf  they  volunta- 
rily give  it  over. 

J[5ut  the  hunting  in  which  the  Indians,  particular- 
ly thofe  who  inhabit  the  northern  parts,  chicl'y  en\- 
ploy  themfelves,  and  from  which  they  reap  the  great- 
eft  advantage,  is  the  beaver  hunting.  The  Icufon 
'  for  this  is  throughout  the  whole  of  the  winter,  from 
November  to  April*,  during  which  time  the  fur  of 
thefe  creatures  is  in  the  grealeft  perfetlion.  A  dc- 
fcription  of  this  extraordinary  animal,  the  conflriic- 
>ion  of  their  hu  3,  and  the  regulations  of  their  alniort 
r;  tio  r.l  communitv,  I  fhall  give  ii!  another  place. 

The  hunt.rn  ni;ike  uic  of  feveral    methods  to  de- 
ft'r^t  hem.  Thofe  generally  pra^l:ifed,nre  ciilicr  that 
-  oi  taking  them  in  fnares,  tutting  through  the  ice,  or 
opening  their  cuufc\v.'.yj. 

As 


m 


CAR\  IlRs  travels. 


iGy 


'^y  cxtn. 
>ic  he  is 

Jit  To  anU 
r(-'c  from 
-Ives  into 
larders  of 
r  c.inocs, 

lie  fliore, 
fe  all  t'i:; 
len  'irivt 

inicii:,  •- 

on  thfir 
et,  if  tiie 
ftruclion, 
3mc  K'.ja- 
tly  avoid- 
r  volunta- 

(artifjular- 
licl'.y  em- 
tlic  great- 
lid  Icafon 
Iter,  from 
lie  fur  of 
1.  A  de- 
con. 'Iriic- 
cir  ainioft 
■  place, 
ds  to  i!c- 
itlicr  that 
he  ice,  or 


Asthe  eyes  of  thefc  animals  are  very  quick,  and  their 
haring  exceedingly  acute,  great  precaution  is  ncccf- 
f;iry  in  approaching  their  bodies  \  for  as  tluy  fcldom 
no  far  from  the  water,  and  their  lioufes  are  always 
built  clofc  to  ihe  fide  of  fome  Urge  river  or  lake,  or 
;lams  of  their  own  conftrucHini;,  upon  the  LmII  alarm 
thev  hiJU-n  to  the  dcepeil  part  of  the  water,  and  dive 
iaiincdiAteij"  to  the  bottom  ;  as  they  do  this  they 
make  n  great  noife  by  beating  the  water  with  their 
tails,  on  purpufc  to  put  the  whole  fraternity  on  their . 
guard.  ' 

They  take  tlicni  with  fnnrcs  hi  the  following  man- 
ner :  though  the  beavers  ufually  lay  up  a  fuliicient 
ilore  of  provifion  to  ferve  for  their  fubfillcnce  during 
tiie  winter,  they  make  from  time  to  time  <  xcurdons 
to  the  neighbouring  woods  to  procure  further  fup- 
plies  of  food.  The  hunters  having  found  out  their 
Jaunts,  place  a  trap  in  their  way,  baited  v.  ;th  iinall 
pieces  of  baric,  or  young  ihoots  o(  trees,  which  the 
heaver  has  no  Iboner  laid  hold  of,  than  a  large  Ic^ 
of  wood  f;Uis  upon  him,  and  breaks  liis  back  j  his 
i-neinies,  who  arc  upon  the  watch,  foon  appear,  and 
inftantly  difpatch  the  hclpleiii  aniuial. 

At  other  times,  when  the  ice  on  the  riv(  rs  anil 
lakes  is  about  hdli  a  fo(/t  thick,  they  make  an  open- 
ing tlirough  it  with  their  hatchets,  to  whirii  the  bea- 
vers will  foon  liaften,  on  being  dilluibed  at  their 
Iioufes,  for  a  lupply  of  frc(h  air.  As  their  breath 
occ.ifiuns  a  coi^hvlerablc  mctlon  In  the  water,  the 
hunter  has  fuHJcient  notice  of  their  approach,  and 
nicihods  are  callly  taken  lor  knocking  ihcm  on  the 
head  tlu'  mon>ent  they  appear  above  the  furface. 

Wlicn  tlu-  houfes  of  the  beavers  luipp  .n  to  be  nc.ir 
a  rivulet,  tiiey  are  more  eahiy  dellroycd  :  the  hun- 
ikMs  ihe!i  cut  'lie  lot,  and  fpreading  a  net  under  it, 
break  down  the  cabins  of  the  beaven.,  wi.o  never  fail 
to  make  towards  the  deep>c;L  pair,  where  tl...y  are 
eutangled  and  t.'kcn.     But  duy  mud  not  ue  fuiercd 

to 


n  t. 


J' 


m: 


i68 


CARVKR'j  TRAVKT.S. 


'w^:I 


ri 


to  ren^nin  thcr^  lonp:,  as  they  wouiil  loon  fxtrlcate 
themlc:vf:j  \*'iili  their  tecih,  %vhich  arc  well  known 
to  be  cxc  fTivcly  Hi.iro  aiul  (Irong. 

The  Indians  take  great  care  to  hinder  their  dogn 
from  touching  iUi  bones  of  the  beavers.  The  rca- 
fons  tliey  give  for  tlcfe  precautions,  arc,  fnft,  that 
the  bones  are  lb  exceiTiVcly  hard,  that  they  fpoll  the 
teeth  of  the  dog^  :  and,  fecondly,  lliat  they  arc  ap. 
rrehcnllve  they  (liall  To  exafpcrnte  the  fpirits  of  the 
hcavevi  by  tiiis  permiinon,  as  to  render  the  next  hunt- 
ing feali  n  uiifuccefstul. 

''"Ik  fkins  of  thefe  animals,  the  hunters  exchange 
with  (he  r.uropeans  for  ncccfi'avies,  and  as  they  arc 
more  valued  by  the  latter  than  any  other  kind  of  furs, 
they  p  y  the  greatclt  attcn..on  to  this  fpccies  of 
buntnio. 

When  the  indians  deftroy  hufl'.ilo8»  elks,  deer, 
&c.  thev  ^^cp.cruily  divide  the  llclh  of  fueh  as  they 
Kivc  t;'ken  ..nioiij;  the  tribe  to  whivh  they  belong. 
but  in  lull'*' mg  the  bf^ver  a  few  families  ufually  unite 
nnd  divide  tl»e  fpoil  between  t!K*m.  Indeed,  in  the 
firft  inilance  rhcy  generally  pay  fonic  attention  in  the 
divifion  to  their  own  f*:milics  j  but  no  jjalouiies  or 
mnrmurings  are  (vex  known  to  arifc  on  account  of 
any  apparent  partiality. 

Amon;;  the  Kaudoweflics,  if  a  pcrfon  fhoots  a  deer, 
bufl^alo,  &c.  and  it  runs  to  a  confulerable  diftancc 
before  it  drops,  where  a  pcrfon  belonging  to  another 
tribe,  being  nearer,  firlt  fticks  a  knife  into  it,  tlw 
ganriC  is  confidere^I  a*  the  property  of  the  latter,  mu- 
yi^|||||llding  It  had  bvcn  mortally  wounded  by  thv.' 
iSHf^.  Though  thi:j  eullom  appears  to  be  arbitrary 
and  urjufl,  v'.-t  that  prople  cheerfully  fubmit  to  it. 
This  (Iccifjon  is,  however,  very  clilFerent  from  tha: 
prat1:ifcd  by  the  Indians  on  the  back  of  the  colonics, 
v'liere  the  lirfl  pciioii  tliat  Iiits,  is  entitled  to  tlio  kit 
iharc. 

CIIArXER  IX. 


-CARVTR's    iRAA'kirs. 


I  A. 


C  H  A  P  T  i:  R     IX. 

ejr  riimi  Mj^I^NIlR  of  making  IVAR,  c'.-. 

1  Illi  I'.ulians  begin  to  hcwr  armr.  at  the  ape 
of  fifieen,  and  lay  them  afidc  when  rht-y  uriive  at  the 
age  of  fixty.  »Soine  nations  to  tiie  fouthwardt  i  have 
been  informed,  do  not  continue  their  military  cxer- 
dies  after  they  are  fifty. 

In  every  band  or  nation  there  is  a  fclccl  number 
who  are  ftiled  the  warriors,  and  who  are  always  rea- 
dy to  aft  either  offcnfircly  or  defenfively,  as  occafioa 
requires.  Thefe  are  well  armed,  bearing  the  wea- 
pons commonly  in  ufe  :imong  thejn,  wh.ich  vary  aC' 
cording  to  the  iituation  of  th(.:ir  countries.  Such  an 
have  an  intercourfe  with  the  Europeans  make  ufe  of 
tomahawks,  knives,  and  lire-arms  ;  but  thole  whofc 
ilwcllings  arc  fituated  to  the  weilward  of  the  Milli- 
fippi,  and  who  have  not  an  opportunity  of  purchafmg 
thefe  kinds  of  weapons,  ufe  bows  and  arrows,  an«i 
alfo  the  Calle  Tcte  or  War-Club. 

The  InJijiis  that  inhabit  llill  further  to  the  wcfl- 
ward,  a  country  which  t  Attends  to  thj  South  Sea,  uie 
ill  figlit  a  warliie  ir.il»'ument  tliat  is  very  uncommon. 
Having  great  plenty  jf  horfc>,*hcy  always  attack  their 
cnemiei  on  horfe'jack,  and  encuiiiber  thtmrelves  with 
no  oi!»er  weapo»i,  th;iivn  flone  of  a  middling  lize, 
curiuafiy  wrought,  v/hich  they  fallen  by  a  itrinj;,  a. 
buut  a  yard  and  a  half  long,  to  their  li^I^t  arms,  a 
li.tle  abjve  thvf  elbow,  'ihef.'  ftone'>  (hey  coaveni- 
Ciitly  nrry  in  their  hands,  t'ul  th^'y  reach  tluir  ciie- 
ir.it\s,  v\\  ilun  Twinging  \.\vc..x\  with  p,?"^'^-  djxf  lity, 
as  tl'oy  rile  fu!l  fp'.'cd,  ivvev  fiii  ofch.iiig  cxeciif'on. 
lli^  cuuniry  wliicli  thele  tr*t'ies  polills,  abounding 
w^iiiUij^e   ext.nilve  plains,  thjfc  vvho  itt::ck  tltm 

I?  CiJvm 


*  i 


I 


I.! 


V'' 


^v- 


r  Ai;VKR'.s  TRAVELS. 


feldotn  return  ;  ns  the  fwiftnefn  of  their  ho»n 


<-s,  on 


^M\>^^ 


'.vl.iih  they  arc  mounted,  enables  them  to  overtake 
even  fhe  fletteft  of  their  invaciers. 

The  Nnuilowcliles,  who  hail  been  at  war  with  this 
people,  informctl  me,  that  unlefs  they  found  moriilks 
•>r  thickets  to  which  tJiey  eoakl  retire,  they  were  furc 
<)f  being  eut  oil :  to  prevent  this  they  ;dwav3  took 
care  whenever  they  made  an  onlct,  to  do  it  near  fucli 
retreats  as  were  impaflablefor  eavalry,  they  then  hav- 
ing; a  great  advantage  over  their  enemies,  whol'c  wea- 
pons would  not  there  reach  them. 

Some  nations  m,i<ke  ufe  of  a  javelin,  pointed  with 
bone,  worked  into  dilTerent  forms  \  but  their  Indian 
weapons  in  general  are  bowsand  airovj,  nu\  the  fliprt 
club  already  mentioned,  Tlie  latter  is  made  of  a 
v<  IV  hard  wood,  and  the  head  of  it  fulhioned  round 
like  a  ball,  about  t,hrec  inches  and  a  Iialf  diameter; 
in  this  rotund  part  is  lixed  an  edge  lefembling  thi^t 
of  ,1  tomah.uv!:,  either  of  ileel  or  ilint,  whichfoever 
they  can  prceiire. 

'I'he  dagger  is  peculiar  lo  tlie  N'audowefTie  nation, 
and  of  ancient  conilru(flion,  but  they  can  give  no  ac- 
count how  long  it  has  been  in  ufe  among  them.  It 
was  originally  made  of  Hint  or  bone,  but  finec  they 
have  had  communication  with  the  European  traders, 
they  have  formed  it  of  Heel.  The  length  of  it  ig  a- 
hout  ten  inches,  and  that  part  clofe  to  the  handle 
nearly  three  inches  broad.  Its  edges  are  keen,  and 
i:  -^railually  tapers  towards  n  point.  They  wear  it  in 
a  lluath  made  of  deer's  leather,  neatly  orc;nuented 
with  porcupine  quills  *,  and  it  ij  ufually  hung  by  a 
llrinj;,  decoratcil  in  the  fame  manner,  whieii  rcachcij 
as  low  only  a*  the  breaft.  The  curious  weapon  is 
worn  by  a  few  of  le  principal  ehi -fs  alone,  and  con- 
lidered  both  as  an  ufeful  inilrument,  and  an  orna- 
mental badge  of  fajXiriority. 

I  obferv-u  among  the  Niudowc flies  a  few  tarfreti 
or  {liields  made  «f  r-w  bufiiilo  hides,  and  in  the  fwrni 

of 


CARVER'.  TRAVELS. 


17T 


overtake 


J  on 


h'ltli  this 
moralics 
^^vcrc  furc 
J'lys  tool; 
l"^'  ir  fueli 
[tlicn  hav- 
iiolc  wca- 

itCvl  M'ith 

-ir  Indian 
I  :i»c  Oiqrt 
li.v.le  of  a 
K\i  round 
liamcter  j 
'•^liii^  that 
Kichfoever 

tie  nation, 
;ive  no  ac- 
theni.  It 
fincc  they 
m  traders, 
of  it  i»  a- 
be  handle 
keen,  and 

wear  it  in 
Ti;«uiented 
lung  by  a 
:h  rdaelies 
weapon  is 
,  and  con. 

an  orna- 

w  tarfreti 
I  the  form 
of 


ef  thofc  ufei!  by  the  ancients.  I'ut  as  the  nuinhcr  cf 
thcfc  was  finall,  and  I  coulil  gain  no  intelligence  of 
the  Jcra  in  which  they  fivll  were  introduced  ;injoni; 
them,  I  fuppofe  thofc  I  faw  had  defcondwd  it>jni  f.i- 
ther  to  fon,  for  many  generations. 

Tlie  reafons  the  Indians  give  of  making  war  agairO" 
one  another,  are  much  the  lame  us  thofc  urged  bv 
nu)re  civilized  nations  for  dillurbing  ihc  traniiuilit,'' 
of  their  neighbours.  The  picas  of  ihg  former  a r 
however  in  general  morejrationa!  and  ju(l,  than  fuih 
as  arc  brought  by  Europeans  in  viiKiicuiion  of  ihcii* 
proceedings. 

The  extenfion  of  empire  is  feldom  a  motive  with 
thefe  people  to  invade,  aad  to  commit  depredations 
on  the  territories  of  thofc  who  hapij)eii  to  dwell  near 
them.  To  fecure  the  rights  of  hunting  within  par- 
ticular limits,  to  maintain  the  libeuy  of  p.iiiiiijr 
tlirough  their  accuftomed  tracks,  anil  to  guard  lhoi« 
lands  wbich  they  confider  from  a  long  tenure  as  ihtir 
cwn,  r.gaind  any  infringement,  are  the  general eaufes 
cf  thofc  diilentions  that  fo  tj#icn  break  out  betwren 
the  Indian  nations,  and  which  arc  tarried  on  with  fw 
much  animofitv. 

Though  (Irangtrs  to  the  idea  of  feparatc  propert;-s 
ret  the  mofl  uncultivated  among  them  are  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  rights  of  their  community  to  the 
domains  they  poflela,  and  oppofc  uitli  vigor  every  en- 
croachment on  them. 

Kotwithllanding  it  is  generally  fnppofcd  that  from 
iheir  territories  being  fo  extenfive,  the  boundaries  of 
diem  cannot  be  i.fceriained,  yet  I  am  well  aflured  that 
the  limits  of  each  nation  in  the  interior  parts  are  laid 
down  in  their  rude  plans  wiili  great  precifion.  By 
theirs,as  I  have  before  obfcrved,  was  1 1  nablcd  to  rt- 
j;ulate  my  own;  and  after  the  mcfl  c\a«Sl  obfervations 
and  iiujuiries  I  found  very  f«w  inftar.ccs  in  whith 
they  trretl. 

Bui 


/ 


» 


"1,1 ' 


172  C  WKVyAV's  Ti^AVLLS. 

But  intcrcil  is  not  citl\er  tljc  moft  frequent  ormoS^ 
powerful  incentive!  to  thirir  HMkjng  war  on  c;\ch  ot!\. 
er.  I'he  palnon  of  revenge,  which  i;ithc  *liriingi:iihiii  r 
chara^crillic  of  thirfc  pcopJe,  is  tlie  moll  f;cncr:il  mo*. 
tivc.  Injuiics  arc  felt  by  them  with  cxc|nilirc  fciifi. 
bilitjr,  and  vengeance  purlucd  uith  unren\ittcd:iri!'jr 
Tc  this  may  be  aiUlcd,  that  natur.\l  excitation  \»lrich, 
every  Indian  become  renlibic  of,  as  foon  as  lie  -.xy, 
jproachcs  the  age  of  manliooJ  to  give  proof  of  his  va^ 
){  r  anvl  prowclu. 

As  iliey  arc  cnrly  pofTeiTcd  with  a  notion  that  w:ir 
•ught  to  be  the  chief  bulinefs  of  their  lives,  thjtrhcrc 
ii  nothinix  n\crc  defnous  than  the  rcp«t:iii.)n  of  hein? 
•A  great  ^X-:irrior,  and  thut  the  fea'.ps  ofuirir  ei.env.fs^ 
€n  a  number  of  prifoncrs  rirc  nhric  to  be  tileemcd  ".i- 
lu  ibl«,  it  is  not  to  he  wondered  .it  tliat  the  y<>img  In- 
dians .iYc  cortinnaily  rcftlcfs  and  un'.afy  if  tiicirarrlor 
is  reprcued,  nnil  tliry  are  kept  in  a  Hate  of  in;i(^\iviry. 
Kithtr  of  thcfe  prr>pcnfirivcr,  the  dcfire  of  revenge  oj 
the  gratiiication  of  an  inipuUV,  that  by  degrees  he« 
*om  :s  hibitual  to  them,  i.s  fUiTiticnt,  frcquetiily,  to  in- 
duce tiicni  to  commit  hoftililics  on  fome  of  the  r.ci^Ji-. 
bearing  nations. 

When  the  chiefs  find  any  occafion  for  making  war, 
ility  endeavour  to  aroufe  thefe  iiabituiiej,  and  by  ihist 
inr.i:,5  joon  excite  their  \varriort>  to  take  arms.     To 
chis  purpofe  ih'.'ymake  ufc  of  thei;  martial  elccjiicnce, 
/i-arly  in  tlie  following  v>'ords,   which  n-wver   fails   of 
pro',  ing  clFctlual ;  **  the  bones  of  our  deecafed  coun- 
tryinen  lie  uncovered,  thty  call  out  to  us  to   revenpc 
t'uir  wrongs,  and  we  muil  latisfy  their  requell.  Tht ir 
fpirlts  cry  out  againfl  us.     They  mull  be    appeafcJ, 
'J'lie  genii,  who  are  the  guardians  of  our  honour,  in- 
spire u^i  with  a  refolutlon  to  feek  the  eneniies  of  our 
murdered  brotliers.     Let  uj  go  and  devour  thofe  by 
whom  they  were  llain.     »Sit  tiierefore  no  longer  '.nac- 
tive,  give  way  to  the  impulfe  of  yonr  natural  valor, 
angiiu  your  hair,  paint  your  faces,  fill  your  (piivcrs, 


caut'c  ihc 
\}v  Ipirit 

Anini 
ihiir  aril 
ami  bu.  1 
the  blo( 

So  me  I 
make  ex 
war,  or 
prompte 
will  mar 
furprife 

'Vh.-r 

prove il  0 

oblig''tl  t 

given  ot 

But  V 

com  PI  u  I 

Tlte  eial 

warriors 

deliver  i 

with  rn;i 

bout  to 

theadva 

Thei 

even,  fc 

vhe)r  w'l 

If  ih 

it  with 

The 

fjOHb  h 

putes  a 
a  good 
bedawl 
during 

catts  ti 
jio  coi" 


CARVKR's    iRA\  ELS. . 


or  \\u^ 
•>t-l»  ot!\. 

Ml  ino!. 
^   fciifi. 

\  •ITilif 

^»lllcIv 
'  I'.c  ap. 
ills  va. 


»73 


caufe  the  foreft  to  relouiul  with  your  fongs,  ronfolc 
til'*  Ipirlt .  oi'thcilcad,  aiui     tell  them    they    Ihail  bt; 


ed. 


rtvci.v; 

Aniniatctl  by  thcfccxhort.itionstlie  warriors  fnatdi 
tluir  arms  in  i  tr.inlport  oi'  lurvi  fini^  tlr:  fon^  o.  »v.ir, 
ami  buin  with  inv'uience  to  imbrue  their  hands  in 
the  blood  of  their  enemies. 

Sometim^vs  prixatc  tliicfs  ;;ni:mblc  fnuiil  parties  and 
make  excurlionj  .u/ainll  i!iofe  with  whom  tl.ey  avc  at 


war,  or 


III  eh 


as  na'  c  mjmei 


dtl, 


em. 


A  fiiv.<l 


e  warrif>r, 


pronjpteil  by  revenge  or  a  dolirc  to  O^ow  his  |  r.^w.f.i, 
will  march  un.ittcniled  for  feveral  hundred  niiks,  to 
furprife  and  eut  oif.i  llr'.yri^ling  party. 

Thcfo  iirciiuiar  faliies  however,  are  not  always  ap- 
proved of  by  the  elder  cluefs,  though  they  arc  ofien 
oblig.'d  to  eoniiive  at  them  *,  as  in  tlie  inlVnit  before 
given  of  the  Naudowefhc  and  Ci^ipeway  nations. 

But  when  a  war  is  national,  and  undertaken  by  the 
commur.ity,  their  deliberations  are  formal  and  llow. 
The  elders  aflemble  in  council,  to  which  all  the  head 
warriors  and  young  men  are  admitted,  where  they 
deliveriheir  opinions  in  folemn  fpeeches,  weighing-, 
with  maturity  the  naiurc  cf  the  enterprife  they  arc  a- 
bout  to  engage  in,  and  balancing  with  great  fagaeity 
theadvant-igcscri'iconvenienccs  that  will  arife  from  it. 

Their  priells  «ri  alfo  confulted  on  the  fubjccT,  anil 
even,  fometimes,  the  advice  of  the  moil  intelligent  of 
rhc)r  women  is  alkeih 

If  the  det.-rmination  be  for  war,  they  prepare  f.r 
it  v'ith  mueli  ceremony. 

The  ciiief  v/arrior  of  a  nation  does  not  on  all  occn- 
fjoub  liead  the  war  party  himi'elf,  he  frequently  de- 
putes a  warrior  of  whofc  valor  and  prudence  he  ha j 
a  good  opinion.  The  pevfon  thus  Hxed  on  being  fnll: 
bedawbed  with  black,  obfervc;  a  fall  of  fever. ;1  day:;, 
during  which  he  invokes  the  Great  Spiiit,  or  depre- 
cates thii  anger  of  the  evil  ones,  holding  whilll  it  lalV* 
no  converfe  with  i^'iy  of  his  tribe. 

V  -i  lie 


•  m 


i: 


f-..  i 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


|2£ 


US 

^   tiS.    12.0 


12.2 


1.8 


L25  iU   I .6 


Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WE^^STkX.N.Y.  145S0 

(716)«72-4503 


4^ 


^ 


'>*> 


KH 


CARVER'S.  TRAVELS. 


% 


He  ii  particularly  careful  at  the  fame  time  to  ob- 
fcrve  lis  dreams,  for  on  thefe  do  they  fuppofe  their 
fuccefs  will  in  a  great  meafurc  depend  ;  and  from  the 
firm  perfuafion  crery  Indian  actuated  by  his  own 
prefumtous  thoughts  is  imprefled  with,  that  he  fliall 
march  forth  to  certain  vidlory,  thefe  are  generally  fa- 
voiable  to  his  wifhes.  » 

After  he  has  fafted  as  long  as  Cuftom  prefcribes,  he 
al]embles  the  warriors,  and  holding  a  belt  of  wampum 
in  his  hand,  thus  addreffes  them  : 

"  Brothers  I  by  the  infpiration  of  the  Great  Spirit  I 
now  fpeake  unto  you,  and  by  him  am  I  prompted  to 
c-arry  into  execution  the  intertions  which  I  am  about 
to  difclofe  to  you.  The  blood  of  our  dcceafed  brotli- 
cis  is  not  yet  wiped  away  ;  their  bodies  arc  not  yet 
covered,  and  I  am  going  to  perform  this  duty  to  them." 

Having  then  made  known  to  them  all  the  motives 
that  induce  him  to  take  up  arms  againfl  the  natioa 
with  whom  they  are  to  engage,  he  thus  proceeds :  **  I 
liave  tlierefore  refolved  to  march  through  the  v.ar- 
yath  to  furprife  them.  We  will  eat  their  flefh,  and 
<lrink  their  blood  ;  we  e'Ul  take  fcalps,  and  make  pri- 
foncrs  ;  and  fliotild  we  perifli  in  this  gloirious-  enter-- 
jprife,  we  {hall  not  be  for  ever  hid  in  the  dnft,  for  this 
iielt  (hall  be  a  recompenfe  to  him  who  buries  the 
ilead."  Having  faid  this,  he  lays  the  belt  on  the  grouncf, 
;md  he  who  takes  it  up  declares  himfelf  his  lieuten- 
ant, and  is  ccnfidered  as  the  fecond  in  command; 
this,  however,  is  only  done  by  fome  diftinguiftied 
warrior  who  has  a  right  by  the  number  of  his  fcalps, 
tO'the  poft. 

Though  the  Indians  thus  alTert  that  they  will  cat 
ihe  ficfh  and  drink  the  blood  of  their  enemies,  the 
threat  is  only  to  be  confidered  as  a  figurative  ex- 
preflion.  Notwithftanding  they  fometimes  devour 
the  hearts  of  thofe  they  flay,  and  drink  their  blood, by 
way  of  bravi^do^  Oi  to  gratify  in  a  i^ore  complete 

mamicr 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


»#r 


to  ob, 
>ofe  their 
from  the 
his  own 
he  fliall 
lerallv  fa- 

:ribes,  lie 
wampum 

at  Spirit  I 
impted  to 
am  about 
(cd  brotii- 
:  not  yet 
to  them." 

2  motives 
:he  nation 
eeds :  *«  I 
the  v.ar- 
lefh,  and 
make  pri- 
mus- cnter- 
1:,  for  this 
uries  the 
e  grounj, 
s  lieuten- 
)mmand; 
inguiflied 
iis  fcalps, 

f  will  cat 
mics,  the 
ative  ex- 
s  devour 
blood,  by 
complete 
unnffc 


manner  their  revenge,  yet  they  are  not  naturally  an- 
thropophagi, nor  ever  feed  on  the  flefli  of  men. 

The  chief  is  now  wafhed  from  his  fable  covcringy 
annointed  with  beards  fat,  and  painted  with  their  red 
paint,  in  fuch  figures  as  will  make  him  appear  moll: 
terrible  to  his  enemies.  He  tlien  fmgs  the  war  fong, 
and  enumerates  his  warlike  anions.  Having  done 
thishe  fixes  his  eyes  on  the  fun,  and  pays  his  adora- 
tions to  the  Great  Spirit,  in  which  he  is  accompanied 
by  all  the  warriors* 

This  ceremony  is  followed  with  dances,  fuch  as  I 
have  before  defcribed  ;  and  the  whole  concludes  with 
a  feaft  which  ufually  cohfifts  of  dog's  flelh. 

This  feaft  is  held  in  the  hut  or  tent  of  the  chief 
warrior,  to  which  all  thofe  who  intend  to  accompany- 
him  in  Iiis  expedition  fend  their  difiics  to  be  filled  ; 
and  during  the  feaft,  notwithftanding  he  has  fafted 
fo  long,  he  fits  compofedly  with  his  pipe  in  his  moutlv, 
and  recounts  the  valorous  deed  of  his  family. 

As  the  hopes  of  having  their  wounds,  (hould  they 
receive  any,  properly  tl*eated,  and  expeditioufly  cured, 
muft  be  fome  additionar inducement  to  the  warriors 
to  expofe  themfelves  mpre  freely  to  danger,  the  priefts, 
who  are  alfo  their  doctors,  prepare  fuch  medicines  as 
will  prove  efficacious.  With  great  ceremony  they 
cany  various  roots  and  plants,  and  pretend  that  they 
impart  to  them  the  power  of  healing, 

Notwithftanding  this  fuperftitious  method  of  pro- 
ceeding, it  is  very  certain  that  they  have  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  many  plants  and  herbs  that  arc  of  a 
medicinal  quality,  and  which  they  know  how  to  ufe? 
with  great  Ikill. 

From  the  time  the  rcfolutlon  of  engaging  in  a  wtw 
is  taken,  to  the  departure  of  the  warriors,  the  nights 
are  fpcnt  in  feftivity,  and  their  days  in  making  the 
needful  preparations.    ^ 

If  it  is  thought  iiecefTary  by  the  nation  going  to 
war,  to  foUdt  the  allinucc  of  any  lit.ghbouring  tribe, 


i  'Wu 


I 


■    ■  f  ; 
'i' 

••ri 


I*:     ',    ,         , 


*'i-f,ili 


I;: 


]H 


H 


'/'i 


In 


1^0 


•(*ARVER's  TRAVELS. 


they  fix  upon  one  of  their  chiefs  who  fpeaks  the  Ian-, 
guage  of  that  people  wjll,  and  who  is  a  good  orator 
and  fend  to  them  by  him  a  bekof\van)pum,cnwhich 
is  fpecified  the  purport  of  the  embafly  in  figures  that 
every  nation  is  well  acquainted  with.  At  the  fame 
time  he  carries  witli  him  a  hatchet  painted  red. 

As  foon  as  he  reaches  the  camp  or  village  to  whiclr 
he  is  deftined,  he  acquaints  the  chief  of  the  tribe  with 
the  general  tenor  of  his  commiflion,  who  immediate- 
ly aflcmbles  a  council,  to  which  the  ambafl'ador  is  in- 
vited.  There  having  laid  the  hatchet  on  the  ground 
he  holds  the  belt  in  his  hand,  and  enters  more  mi- 
nutely into  the  occafion  of  his  embafTy.  In  his  fpeech 
he  invites  them  to  take  up  the  hatcher,  and  as  foou  as- 
he  has  finilhed  fpeaking^clivers  the  belt; 

If  his  hearers  are  inclined  to  become  auxiliaries 
to  his  nation,  a  chief  fteps  forward  and  takes  up  the 
hatchet,  and  they  immediately  efpoufe  with  fpirit  the 
caufe  they  have  thus- engaged  to  fupport.  But  if  on 
this  application  neither  the  belt  or  hatchet  are  accept- 
ed, the  emiflary  concludes  that  the  people  whofe  af- 
fiftance  he  fohcits  have  already  entered  into  an  alli- 
ance with  the  foes  of  his  nation,  and  returns  with 
ipeed  to  inform  his  countrymen  of  his  ill  fucccfs. 

The  manner  in  which  the  Indians  declare  war  a^ 
f^ainft  each  other,  is  by  fending.a  Have  with  a  hatchet, 
the  handle  of  which  is  painted  red,  to  the  naticu 
which  they  intend  to  break  with  ;  and  the  meflcnger, 
notwithftandingv  the  danger  to  which  he  is  expofed 
from  the  fudden  fury  of  thofe  whom  he  thus  fets  at 
defiance,  ex-^cutes  his  commiflion  with  great  fidelity. 

Sometimes  this  token  of  defiance  has  luch  an  ii]- 
itantnneous  effe<St  on  thofe  to  whom  it  is  prefented, 
that  in  the  firll  tranfportsof  their  fury  a  fmall  party 
will  iflhe  forth,  without  waiting  for  the  permilhon  of 
the  elder  chiefs,  and  Haying  the  firft  of  the  offending 
nation  they  meet,  cut  open  the  body  and  flick  a  hatch- 
et of  th<;   fame  kind  a&  that  they  have  jult  received^ 

into 


u  ♦-  Jy 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


»77 


s  the  Ian, 
Oii  orator, 
,cu  which 
^ures  that 
the  fame- 
red. 

e  to  which 
tribe  with 
mmediate- 
ddor  is  iu-- 
he  ground 
more  nii- 
his  fpeech 
as  fooii  as- 

auxiliaries 
ces  up  the 
h  rpirit  the 

But  if  on 
are  accept- 

whoie  af- 
ito  an  alii- 
lurns  with 
iicccfs. 
are  war  a« 
a  hatchet, 
:he  nation 
meflenger,. 
is  expolcd 
hus  fets  at 
at  Hdeiity. 
iich  an  iii- 
prefented, 
inall  party 
■miirion  of 

offending 

k  a  hatch- 

;  received;^ 

into 


Jiitothe  heart  of  their  ilaughtered  foe.-  Among  the 
more  remote  tribes  this  is  done  witli  an  arrow  or  fpear, 
the  end  of  which  is  painted  red*  And  the  more  to 
exafperate,  they  difmember  the  body,  to  fbow  that 
they  cfteem  thcni  not  as  men,  but  as  old  women. 

The  Indians  feidom  take  the  field  in  large  bodies, 
as  f  ich  numbers  would  require  a  greater  degree  of 
induPay  to  provide  for  their  fubfiftence,  during  their 
tedious  marclies  through  dreary  forefts,  or  long  voy- 
ages over  lakes  and  rivers,  than  they  would  care  to 
b«ilo'.v.. 

Their  armies  are  never  encumbered  with  baggage 
or  military  ftnres.  Each  warrior,  befides  his  weapons, 
carries  with  him  only  a  mat,  and  whilfl  at  a  diftance 
from  the  frontiers  of  the  enemy  fuppofts  himfelf  with 
the  game  he  kills  or  the  lifh  he  catches. 

When  they  pafs  through  a  country  #here  they  have 
no  apprehenfions  of  meeting  with  an  enemy,  they  ufe 
very  little  precaution ,  fome  times  there  are  fcarcely  a 
dozen  warriors  left  together,  the  reft  bei,  g  difperled 
in  purfuit  of  their  game ;  but  though  they  fliould  hav€ 
roved  to  a  very  confiderable  diftance  from  the  war- 
path, they  are  fure  to  arrive  at  the  place  pf  rendez- 
vous by  the  hour  appointed. 

They,  always  pitch  their  tents  long  Befbrc  fun-fet  5 
wid  being  naturally.  prefumptiious,take  very  little  caT<e 
to  guard  againit  a  furprife,.  They  place  great  confi- 
dence in  their  Manitous,  or  houlehokl  gods,  which 
they  always  carry  with  them  ;  and  being  perfuaded 
that  they  take  upon  them  the  office  of  ccntinels,  they 
ileep  very  fecurely  under  their  prote6Hon. 

Thefe  Manitous,  as  they  are  called  by  fome  nations^ 
but  which  are  termed  Wakons,  that  is  fpirits,  by  the 
Naudoweffies,  are  nothing  more  than  the  otter  and 
martin  Ikins  I  have  already  defcribed,  for  which, 
hov^ever,  they  have  a  great  veneration. 

After  they  have  entered  the  enemy's  country,  no 
people  can  be  more  cautious  %iid  circumfpeO  *,  fires 


^ 


•>:^i 


m'^r 


i  /■'■■f-'i£i-^-  ■ 


■lli'iH*''- 


fry's- 


t'ARVLR's  TRAVELS. 


are  no  longer  lighted,  no  more  (lioiiting  is  heard,  n^r 
the  game  any  longer  purfued.  They  arc  not  even 
permitted  to  fpcak  j  but  muO:  convey  v/hatever  thcv 
have  to  impart  to  each  other  by  figns  and  motions. 

They  now  proceed  whohy  by  ftratagem  and  am- 
bufcade.  Having  difcovered  their  enemies,  they  fend 
to  reconnoitre  them;  and  a  council  is  immediately 
held, during  which  they  fpeak  only  in  whifpers  to  con- 
fider  of  the  intelligeiKe  impar^ted  by  thofe  who  were 
ien.t '  out.  • 

The  attack  is  generally  made  juft  before  day  break, 
at  which  period  they  fuppofe  their  foes  to  be  in  their 
foundeft  flecp.  Throughout  the  whole  of  the  pre* 
ceding  night  they  will  lie  flat  upon  their  faces,  with- 
out  ftirring  ;  and  make  their  approaches  in  the  fame 
pofture,  creeping  upon  their  hands  and  feet  till  they 
are  got  within^owihot  of  thofe  they  have  dettined  to 
<ieftru£lion.  On  a  fignal  given  by  the  chief  warrior, 
to  which  the  whole  body  makes  anfwer  by  the  inoQ; 
hideous  yell,  they  all  ftart  up,  and  difcharging  their 
arrows  in  the  fame  inftant,  without  giving  their  ad- 
.\erfaries  time  to  recover  from  the  confufion  into 
which  they  are  thrown,  pour  in  upen  them  witli  their 
war-clubs  or  tomahav/ks. 

The  Indians  think  there  is  little  glory  to  be  acquired 
from  attacking  their  enemies  openly  in  the  field;  their 
greateft  pride  is  tofurprife  and  deflroy.  They  fd- 
dom  engage  without  a  manifefl  appearance  of  advan* 
tage.  If  they  find  the  enemy  on  their  guard,  too 
ftrongly  entrenched,  or  fuperior  in  numbers,  they 
retire,  provided  there  is  an  opportunity  of  doing 
fo.  And  they  efteem  it  tlie  greateft  qualification  of 
a  chief  warrior,  to  be  able  ta  manage  an  attack,  fo  as 
to  deflroy  as  many  of  the  enemy  as  pofTible,  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  a  few  men. 

Sometimes  they  fecure  themfclves  behind  treesj 
hillocks,  or  ftones,  and  having  given  one  or  two 
rounds,  retire  before  they  are  dilcoveted.    Etirope- 


',^f-     4 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


ic  not  even' 
latever  they 

motions. 
|m  and  am- 
f  s,  they  fend 
Immediately 
fpers  to  con. 

who  were 

day  break, 
be  in  their 
of  the  pre* 
faces,  with- 
in the  fame 
:et  till  they 
z  deflined  to 
lief  Warrior, 
by  the  moft 
larging  their 
tig  their  ad- 
nfufion  into 
m  with  their 

be  acquired 

^l^eldi  tlieir 

They  fc!- 

ceofadvan. 

guard,  too 
libers,  they 
y  of  doing 
li/ication  of 
attack,  fo  as 
*,  at  theex- 

Jiind  trees> 
tie   or   two 
.     Europe- 
an5>. 


179 


attj,  who  are  unacquainted  with  this  method  of  fight- 
JTjg  too  often  find  to  their  coil  tl^  dcftruclivc  effica- 
cy of  it. 
;GeneraI  Bradjlock  was  one  of  this  unhappy  num- 
ber.   Marching  in  the  year  1 755,  to  attack  Fort  Du 
Quefne,  he  was  intercepted  by  a  party  of  French  and 
confederate  Indians  in  their  intcreft,  who  by  tliis  in- 
fidious  method  of  engaging  found  means   to    defeat 
his  army,  which   confifted  of  about  two   thoufand 
brave  and  well  difciplined  troops.     So  fecurely  were 
the  Indians  ported,  that  the   Englifh   fcarcely  knew 
from  whence  or  by  whom  they  were  tlius  annoyed. 
During  the  whole  of  the  engagement,  the  latter   had 
fcarcely  a  fight  of  an  enemy  ;    and  were  obliged  to 
retre?t  wKl^out  the  fatisfadlion  of  being  able  to   take 
the  ieaf^'^viegree  of  revenge  fur  the  havoc  made  nmong 
them.     The   General  paid  for  his  temerity  with   his 
life,  and  was  accompanied  in  his  fall  by  a  great  num- 
ber of  brave  fellows  j  whilft  his  invlfible  enemies  h;id 
OHiy  two  or  three  of  tlipir  number  wounded. 

When,  the  Indians  fucceed  in  their  fileiit  approach- 
es, and  are  able  to  force  the  camp  which  they  attack, 
a  fcene  of  horror  that  exceeds  defcription,  enfi^es. 
The  favage  fiercenefs  of  the  conquerors,  and  the  def- 
peration  of  the  conquered,  who  well  know  what  they 
have  to  expedl  iliould  they  fall  alive  into  the  hands 
of  their  afiailants,  occafion  the  moft  extraordinary 
eiertions  o\\  both  fides.  The  fia;ureof  the  combat- 
jnts  all  befmeared  with  black  imd  red  paint,  and  co- 
vered with  the  blood  of  the  flain,  their  horrid  yells, 
and  ungovernable  fury,  are  not  to  be  conceived  by 
thofe  who  have  never  crolled  the  Atlantic. 

I  have  freqU,ftitly  been  a  ^-jedator  of  them,  and 
once  bore  a  patt  in  a  iimilar  focnc.  But  what  added 
to  the  horror  ot  it  was,  th.'.t  I  had  not  the.  confolatiou 
of  being  able  to  oppofc  their  Cr/age  attackj.  Every 
circuinilancc  of  the  adventure  iliii  dv/ells  oq  my  re- 
ihembrauce,  and  enables  rac  to  deiciibc  wieh  greater 

pcrj^/icuity 


^  t  : 


mni 


i 


If 


1 80 


CARVI-R's  TRAVELS. 


m 


\m 


Si 

M: 


perfpicuity  the  brutal  fiercenefs  of  thc'Intllans  xvhen 
they  have  furprifed  or  overpowered  an  enemy. 

As  a  detail  of  the  malTacre  at  Fort  William  Henry 
in  the  year  1757,  the  fcene  to  which  I  refer,  cannot 
appear  foreign  to  the  defign  of  this  publication,  but 
will  ferve  to  give  my  readers  a  juft  idea  of  the  fero- 
city of  this  people,  I  fhall  take  the  liberty  to  infcrt  it, 
apologizing  at  the  fame  time  for  the  length  of  the 
digreliion,  and  thofc  egotifms  which  the  relation  ren« 
iers  unavoidable. 

General  Webb,  who  commanded  the  Englifh  ar- 
my in  North- America,  which  was  then  encamped  at 
Fort  Edward,  having  intelligence  that  the  French 
troops  under  MonC  Montcalm  were  making  fome 
movements  towards  Fort  William  Henry,  he  detach- 
ed a  corps  of  about  fifteen  hundered  men,  confifting 
of  Engiilh  and  Provincials,  to  ftrengtlien  the  garri- 
fon.  In  this  party  I  went  as  a  volunteer  among  the 
latter. 

The  apprehenfions  of  the  Englifli  General  were 
not  without  foundation  ;  forthe  day  after  oiir  arrival 
wc  faw  Lake  George  (formerly  Lake  Sacrament)  to 
which  it  lies  contiguous,  covered  with  an  immenfc 
-number  of  boats ;  and  in  a  few  hours  we  found  our 
lines  attacked  by  the  French  General,  who  had  juft 
(Imded  with  eleven  thoiifand  Regulars  and  Canadians, 
and  two  thouiand  Indians.  Colonel  Monro,  a  brave 
officer,  commanded  in  the  Fort,  and  had  no  more 
than  two  thoufand  three  hundred  men  with  him,  our 
detachment  inclu  led. 

With  thefe  he  made  a  gallant  defence,  and  proba* 
•bly  would  have  been  able  at^all  to  preferve  the  Fort, 
had  he  been  properly  fupported,  and  permitted  to 
>continue  his  cfFoits.  On  every  fummons  to  furren- 
der  fent  by  the  French  General,  who  offered  the 
molt  honorable  terms,  liis  anfwer  repeatedly  was. 
That  he  yet  found  himfelf  in  a  condition  to  repel  the 
moft  vigorous  attacks  his  beHegcrs  were  able  to  make  4 

8Wd 


■V, 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


181 


nglifli  ar- 
camped  at 
le  French 
king  fome 
he  detach- 
confifting 
the  garri- 
imong  the 

leral  were 
ov^T  arrival 
rament)  to 
1  immenfc 
found  our 
3  had  juft 
[^anadiansj 
o,  a  brave 
1  no  more 
I  him,  our 

ind  proba* 

the  Fort, 

mitted   to 

to  furren- 

fFercd  the 

edly  vi'as. 

repel  the 

to  make  4 


aii^if  he  thought  hil  prefent  force  infuffidfet,  he 
could  foon  be  fu^plied  with  a  greater  number  from 
the  adjacent  army; 

But  tlic  Colonel  havlMf  acquainted  General  Webb 
vith  his  fituation,  amfaefired  he  would  fend  him 
feme  frefh  troops,  the  General  difpatched  a  me^Tcnger 
td  him  with  a  letter,  wherein  he  informed  him  that  it 
was  not  in  his  poweKt:^^^  affift  him,  and  therefore, gave 
him  orders  to  furrem^  up  the  Fort  on  the  beft  terms 
he  could  procure.  This  packet  fell  into  the  hands 
•of  the  French  General,  who  immediately  fent  a  flag 
of  truce,  dcfiring  a  conference  with  the  governor. 

They  accordingly  met,  attended  only  by  a  fmall 
guayd  in  the  centre  between  the  lines ;  when  Monf. 
Mdntcalm  told  the  Colonel,  that  he  was  come  in  per- 
fon  to  demand  pofleflion  of  the  Fort,  as  it  belonged 
to  the  King  his  mafter.  The  Colonel  replied,  that 
he  knew  not  how  that  could  be,  nor  fhould  he  fur- 
render  it  up  whilll:  if^  vi^s  in  his  power  to  defend  it. 

The  French  G^heral  rejoined,  at  the  fame  time 
delivering  the  packet  into  the  Coloncrs  hand,  *<  By 
this  authority  do  I  make  the  requifition."  The  brave 
Governor  had  no  footer  read  the  contents  of  it,  and 
was  convinced  that  ft^ch  were  the  orders  of  the,  com- 
mander in  chief,  and  nott^  be  dilobeycd,  than  he 
huug  his  Jhead  in  filence,  Md  relundantly  entered 
into  a  negociation. 

|fe  coiifideration  of  the  gallant  defence  the  garrifon 
had  made,  they  were  to  tc  permitted  to  march  out 
with  all  the  honors  of  war,  to  be  allowed  covered 
waggons  to  tranfpofipt  their  baggage  to  Fort  Edward, 
and  a  guard  ^  prote<ft  them  from  the  f.-.y  of  the 
favages.  ■^■ 

The  morning  after  the  capitulatron  was  figned,  as 
foon  asday  broke,  the  whole  garrifon,  now  confiiting 
of  about  two  thpuf:\«d  men,  befidcs  women  and 
children,  were  dra.\vn  up  within  the  lines,  aild  on-thc 
point  of  marching  off,   when  great  numbers  of  the 

•Q^  Indlaus 


iSt 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


!•< 


>:i 


k  i   *: 


Indian* gathered  about,  and  began  to  plunder.  We 
yfcrc  at  iirll  in  hopes  that  this  was  their  only  view 
and  fufFrrcd  them  to  proceed  without  oppofition. 
Indeed  it  was  not  in  our  power  to  make  any,  had  we 
^)een  fo  inclined  ;  for  though  we  were  permitted  to 
carry  ofl'our  arms,  yet  we  were  not  allowed  a  fingle 
round  of  ammuniton.  In  thefe  hopes  however  we 
were  difappointed  j  for  prcfently  fome  of  them  began 
to  attack  the  fick  and  wounded,  when  fuch  as  were 
not  able  to  crawl  into  the  ranks,  notwithftanding  they 
endeavoured  to  avert  the  fury  of  their  enemies  by 
their  ihricks  or  groans,  were  foon  difpatched. 

Here  we  were  fully  in  expedlation  that  the  difturb- 
ance  would  have  concluded  j  and  our  little  army  be- 
gan to  move ;  but  in  a  fliort  time  we  faw  the  front 
divifion  driven  back,  and  difcovcred  that  we  were  en- 
tirely encircled  by  the  favages.  We  expe<Sted  every 
moment  that  the  guard,  which  the  French  by  the 
article!  of  capitulation,,  had  agr*^  to  allow  us,  would 
-have  arrived,  and  put  an  enaj||P!)ur  apprehenfions ; 
but  none  appeared.  The  Indians  now  began  to  ftrip 
every  one  without  exception  of  their  arms  and  clothes, 
and  thofe  who  made  the  leaft  refiftance  felt  the  weight 
of  their  tomahawks. 

I  happened  to  b:  in  the  rear  divifion,  but  it  was 
not  long  before  I  fluked  %6  fate  of  my  companions. 
Three  or  four  of  the  favages  laid  hold  of  me,  and 
whilft  fome  held  their  weapons  over  my  head,  the 
others  foon  difrobed  me  of  my  coat,  waiftcoat,  hat, 
and  buckles,  omitting  not  to  take  from  me  what  mo- 
ney I  had  in  pocket.  As  this  was  tranfadled  clofe  by 
the  paflage  that  led  from  the  lines  on  to  the  plain, 
near  which  a  French  centinel  was  pofted,  I  ran  to 
him  and  claimed  his  prote«Slion  ;  but  he  only  called 
me  an  Englifh  dog,  and  thr«ft  me  with  violence  back 
again  into  the  midft  of  the  Indians. 

I  now  endeavoured  to  join  a  body  of  our  troops 
that  were  crowded  toj^sthcr  at  fonr^  diftancc  5  but 

iiuiumerabic 


tliC 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i9i 


^cr.  We 
►nly  view, 
ppofition. 
y»  had  we 

mitted  to 
d  a  fingle 
)wever  we 
lem  began 
h  as  were 
ndingthey 
nemies  by 
ed. 

he  difturb- 

e  army  bc- 

'  the  front 

e  were  en- 

:£ted  every 

ich  by  the 

r  us,  would 

ehenfions  j 

gan  to  ftrip 

;nd  clothes, 

the  weight 

but  it  was 
)mpanion3. 
»f  me,  and 
head,  the 
kcoat,  hat, 
;  what  mo- 
2d  clofe  by 
the  plain, 
i,  I  ran  to 
only  called 
>lcncc  back 

our  troops 
L311CC ;  but 

merabic 


Innnmerablc  were  the  blows  that  were  made  at  nic 
with  different  weapons  as  I  paflcd  on  ;  luckily  how- 
ever the  favages  were  lo  dole  together,  that  they 
could  not  ftrike  at  me  without  endangering  each  oiIh 
cr.  Notwithftanding''>which  one  of  them  found 
means  tb  make  a  thurft  at  me  with  a  fpear,  which 
grazed  my  fide,  and  from  another  I  received  a  wound, 
with  the  fame  kind  of  weapon,  in  my  ankle.  At 
length  I  gained  the  fpot  where  my  countrymen  flood, 
and  forced  myfelf  into  the  mid  ft  of  tliem.  But  be- 
fore I  got  thus  far  out  ox  the  hands  of  the  Indians, 
the  collar  and  wriftbands  of  my  fhirt  were  all  that 
remained  of  it,  and  my  fiefli  was  fcratched  and  torn 
in  many  places  by  their  i'avage  gripes. 

By  this  time  the  war-whoop  was  given,  and  the 
Indians  began  to  m'urder  thofe  that  were  nearcft  to 
them  without  diftin£lion.  It  is  not  in  the  power  of 
words  to  give  any  tolerable  idea  of  the  horrid  fcene 
that  >w  enfued ;  jrieni  women,  and  oliildrdn  were 
difpatched  in  the  tii|it  wanton  and  cruel  manner, 
and  immediately  fcatped.  Many  of  thefe  favagts 
drank  the  blood  of  their  viftims,  as  it  flowed  warm 
from  the  fatal  wound. 

We  now  perceived,  though  too  late  to  avail  us, 
^9t  we  were  to  expedt  no  relief  from  the  French  ; 
and  that,  contrary  to  the  agveement  they  had  fo  lately 
figned  to  allow  us  a  fufficicnt  force  to  prote£l  us  from 
tl!i|fe  infults,  they  tacitly  permitted  them  ;  for  1  could 
plainly  perceive  the  French  officers  walking  about  at 
fome  diftance,  difcourfing  together  with  apparent  un- 
concern. For  the  honor  of  human  nature  I  would 
hope  that  this  flagrant  breach  of  every  facred  law, 
proceeded  rather  from  the  favage  difpofition  of  the 
Indians,  which  I  acknowledge  it  is  fometimes  almoft; 
impoffible  to  controul,  and  which  might  now  unex- 
pededly  have  arrived  to  a  pitch  not  eafily  to  be  re- 
ftrained,  than  to  any  permcdi^ated  defign  in  the 
French  commander.       An  unprejudiced  obfervcr 

would, 


*i' 


r 


*        ;.    ^^*-'!--   Ill, 


•,'   V 


\  . 


k^^ 


^1' 


iB4 


CARVER'*  TRAVELS. 


M 


u'ould,  however,  be  apt  to  conclude,  that  a  body  of 
ten  thoufand  chriitian  troops,  moil  chriilian  troups, 
had  it  in  their  power  to  prevent  tlic  maflacrc  from 
becoming  fo  general.  But  whatever  was  the  caufc 
from  which  it  arofe,  the  cpnfequcnces  of  it  were 
idrcadful,  and  not  to  be  paralleled  in  modcrivhidory. 

As  the  circle  in  which  I  flood  inclofed  by  this 
lime  was  much  thinned,  and  death  feemed  to  be  ap* 
proaching  with  hafty  ftrides^  it  was  propoled  by  Ibmc 
f)(  the  mod  refolute  to  make  one  vigorous  eflbrt,  and 
endeavour  to  force  our  way  through  the  fiwages,  tl^ 
only  probable  method  of  preferving  our  lives  that 
now  remained.  This,  however  defperate,  was  relblv- 
cd  on,  and  about  twenty  of  us  fprung  at  once  into 
the  mid  ft  of  them. 

In  a  moment  we  were  all  feparated,  and  what  wai 
the  fate  of  my  companions  I  could  not  learn  till  fomc 
months  after,  when  I  found  that  only  fix  or  feven  of 
them  efTctled  their  defign.  Intent  only  on  my  own 
hazardous  fituation,  I  endeavoured  to  make  my  way 
through  my  favage  enemies  in  the  beft  manner  pofli- 
ble.  And  I  have  ©ften  been  aftonifhed  fincc,  whea 
1  have  recollefted  with  what  compofure  I  took,  as  I 
ifid,  every  neceflary  ftep  for  my  prefervation.  Some 
I  overturned,  being  at  that  time  young  and  ath|etif;| 
and  others  I  paiTed  by,  dextrou^y  avoiding  their  wea- 
pons^} till  at  laft  two  very  (lout  chiefs,  of  the  nioft 
lavage  tribes,  as  I  c  ould  diftinguiili  by  their  drefs, 
whofe  ftrength  I  could  not  refifV,  laid  hold  of  me  by 
e;v:h  arm,  aiul  began  to  force  me  thiough  the  crowd. 

I  now  refigned  myfelf  to  my  fate,  not  doubting  but 
that  they  intended  to  difpatch  me,  and  then  to  fati- 
ate  their  vengeance  with  my  blood,  a^s  I  found  they 
were  hurrying  me  towards  a  retired  fw  amp  that  lay 
at  fome  dillance.  But  before  we  Iiad  got  many  yards, 
an  Englifh  gentleman  of  fome  diftindlion,  as  I  could 
difcover  by  his  breeches,  the  only  covering  he  had  on, 
vhich  were  of  fine  fcarlet  velvet,  ruilied  clofe  by  us. 

One 


a  body  of 
an  troops, 

acre  from 

the  caufc 
of  it  were 
rrvhiftory. 
ed  by  thia 

to  be  ap- 
:d  by  fomc 
eflbrt,  and 
ivages,  tl^ 

lives  that 
was  refolv- 
;  once  into 

I  what  wat 

rn  till  fomc 
)r  feven  of 
511  my  own 
we  my  way 
inner  pofli- 
nee,  whea 
I  took,  as  I 
ion.  Some 
id  ath^etijSi 
I  their  wea- 
:  the  nioft 
:heir  drefs, 
Id  of  me  by 
the  crowdt 
oubting  but 
en  to  fati- 
foiiiid  they 
np  that  lay 
nauy  yards, 
,  as  I  could 
f  he  had  on, 
clofe  by  us. 
One 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


185 


One  of  the  Irdlti^tinftantly  rclinquifhcd  his  hold,  and 
fpringing  on  this  new  obje£V,  endeavoured  to  fcizc 
him  as  his  prey  j  but  the  gen  Jeman  being  ftrong;, 
ihrew  him  on  the  ground,  and  would  probably  liavc 
got  away,  had  not  he  who  held  my  other  arm,  quit- 
ted me  to  aflift  his  brother.  I  feized  the  opportuni- 
ty, nnd  haftcncd  away  to  join  another  party  of  Eng- 
lilh  troops  that  were  yet  unbroken,  and  flood  in  a  bo- 
dy at  fome  diflancc.  But  before  I  had  taken  many 
fteps,  I  haftily  cait  my  eye  towards  the  gentleman, 
and  faw  the  Indian's  tomahawk  gafh  into  his  back  and 
heard  him  utter  his  lall  groan  ;  this  added  both  to  my 
fpced  and  defperation. 

Ihadieftthis  lliocking  fcene  but  a  few  yards,  whea 
a  fine  boy  about  twelve  years  of  age,  that  had  hither- 
to efcaped,  came  up  to  me,  and  begged  that  I  would 
let  him  lay  hold  of  me,  fo  that  he  might  ftand  fomc 
chance  of  getting  out  of  the  hands  of  the  favages. 
I  told  him  that  I  wMld  give  him  every  alfiftance  in 
my  power,  and  to  this  purpofe  bid  him  lay  hold  ;  but 
in  a  few  moments  he  was  torn  from  my  fide,  and  by 
his  flirieks  1  judge  was  foon  demoliflied.  I  could  not 
ibelp  forgetting  my  own  cares  for  a  minute,  to  lament 
i^efate  of  fo  young  a  lufFerer  ;  but  it  was  utterly  im- 
■poflible  for  me  to  take  any  methods  to  prevent  it. 

I  now  got  once  more  into  the  midft  of  friends,  but 
we  were  uixable  to  afford  each  other  any  fuccour.  A  s 
tfiis  was  the  divifion  that  had  advanced  the  furthefi: 
from  the  fort,  I  thought  there  might  be  a  poffibility 
(though  but  a  bare  one)  of  my  forcing  my  way  through 
the  outer  ranks  of  the  Indians,  and  getting  to  a  neigh- 
bouring wood,  which  I  perceived  at  fome  diftance.  I 
was  ftill  incouraged  to  hope  by  the  alnioft  miracu- 
lous prefervation  I  had  already  experienced. 

Nor  were  my  hopes  in  vain,  or  the  effo-':  I  made, 
ineffedual.  Suflice  it  to  fay,  that  I  reached  tiie  wood  j 
but  by  the  time  I  had  penetrated  a  little  way  intoit, 
my  breath  was  fc  cxhaufted  thiit  I  threw  myfcif  into 


fh. 


o 


brake. 


i86 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


I 


1 


in. 


a  brake,  and  lay  for  fome  minutes" apparently  at  thfe 
lafl:  gaip.  At  length  I  recovered  tl^  power  of  refpi. 
ration  ;  but  my  apprehenfions  returned  with  all  their 
former  force,  when  I  fawltevaral  favages  pafs  by,  pro- 
bably in  purfuit  of  me,  at  no  vfery  great  difta.ice.  In 
this  fituiation  I  knew  not  whether  it  was  better  to  pro- 
ceed, or  endea  'our  to  conceal  myfelf  where  I  lay,  till 
night  came  on  i  feiring^  howefer,  that  they  would 
return  the  fame  w\^',  1  thought  it  moft  prudent  to 
get  further  from  the  dreadful  fcene  of  my  diftrefles. 
Accordingly,  ftriking  into  another  part  of  the  wood, 
I  haftened  on  as  faft  as  the  briars  and  the  lofs  of  one 
of  my  (hoes  would  permit  me  ;  and  after  a  flow  pro- 
grefs  of  fome  hours,  gained  a  hill  that  overlooked  the 
plain  which  i  had  juft  left,  from  whence  I  could  di|"- 
cern  that  the  bloody  ftorm  ftill  raged  with  unabated 
fury. 

But  not  t:^  tire  njy  readers,  L»fliall  only  add,  that 
after  paffing  three  d^ys  without  fubfiftence,  and  en- 
during the  feverity  of  the  coldjjlews  tor  three  nights, 
I  at  length  reached  Fort  Edward ;  where  with  proper 
care  my  body  foon  recovered  its  wonted  ftrength, 
«nd  m^^^mind,  as  far  as  the  recoil edlion  of  the  late 
melancholy  events  v  ould  permit,  its  ufual  compofure. 

It  was  compiTicd  that  fifteen  hundre^perfon  we!t^ 
killed  or  made  prubners  by  thefe  favages  ,^uring  this 
f?.tal  day.  Many  of  the  latter  were  carried  off  by 
them  and  never  returned.  /i  few,  through  favora- 
ble accidents,  found  thefr  way  back  to  their  native 
country,  after  having  experienced  a  lon^  and  fevers 
captivity.  ' 

The  brave  Colonel  Munro  had  haftened  away,  foon 
after  the  confufion  began,  to  the  French  camp  to  en- 
deavour to  procure  the  guard  agreed  by  the  ftipula- 
tion  •,  but  his  application  proving  inefFedlual,  he  re- 
mained there  till  General  Wfebb  lent  a  party  of  troops 
to  demand  and  protedl:  him  back  to  Fort  Edward. 
But  thefe  unhappy  concurrences,  which  would  pro- 
bably 


U  ■»?■.. .:^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


^mBj 


tly  at  th& 
-r  of  refpi. 
th  all  their 
afs  by,  pro- 
^a.ice.  Ill 
:tter  to  pro- 
[•e  I  lay,  till 
hey  would 
prudent  to 

diftrefles. 

the  wood, 
lofs  of  one 

flow  pro- 
rlooked  the 
Icoulddif. 
h  unabated 

y  add,  that 
ce,  and  en- 
liree  nights, 
with  proper 
zd  ftrength, 
of  the  late 
compofure. 
?erfon  werf? 
^^uring  this 
ried  off  by 
ugh  favora- 
their  native 
and  fevere 

away,  foon 
:amp  to  en- 
the  ftipula- 
lual,  he  re- 
ty  of  troops 
rt  Edward, 
would  pro- 
bably 


bably  have  been  prevented,  had  he  been  left  to  puiu 
fue  his  own  plans»  together  with  the  lofs  of  fo  many 
brave' fellows,  murdered  in  cold  blood,  to  whofe  valor 
he  had  been  fo  lately  a  witnefs,  made  fuch  an  impref- 
fion  on  his  mind,  that  he  did  not  long  furvive.  He 
died  in  about  three  months  of  a  broken  heart,  and 
with  truth  might  it  be  faid,  that  he  was  an  honor  to 
his  country. 

I  mean  not  to  point  o.^tthe  following  circumftancc 
as  the  immediate  judgment  of  heaven,  and  intended 
as  an  atonement  for  this  ilaughtcr*,  but  I  cannot 
omit  that  very  few  of  thofe  different  tribes  of  Indians 
that  fhared  in  it  ever  lived  to  return  home.  The 
fmall-pox,  by  means  of  their  communication  with 
tje  Europeans,  found  its  way  among  them,  and  made 
an  equal  havoc  to  what  they  themfelves  had  done. 
The  methods  they  purfued  on  the  firfl  attack  of  that 
malignant  diforder,  to  abate  the  fever  attending  it, 
rendered  it  fatal,  Whilfl  their  blood  was  in  a  flate 
of  fermentation,  and  nature  was  flriving  to  throw  out 
the  peccant  matter,  tliey  checked  her  operations  bj 
plunging  into  the  water  :  the  confequence  was  that 
they  died  Jby  hundreds.  The  few  that  furvived  were 
transfoimed-'by  it  into  hideous  objedts,  and  bore  with 
them  to  thegyave  deep- indented  marks  of  this  much 
dreaded  difo^ie. 

Monfieiir  Montcalm  fell  foon  after  on  the  plains 
of  Quebec.  ' 

That  the  unprovokec  cruelty  of  this  commander 
was  not  approved  of  by  the  generality  of  his  country- 
men, I  have  fmce  been  convinced  of  by  many  proofs. 
One  only  however,  which  I  received  from  a  perfon 
who  was  witnefs  to  it,  fliall  I  at  prefent  give.  A  Ca- 
nadian merchant,  cf  fome  confideration,  having  heard 
of  the  furrencler  ot  the  Englifli  Fortj  celebrated  the 
fortunate  event  witli  great  rejoicings  and  hofpitality, 
according  to  the  cuftom  of  that  country ;  but  no 
fooncr'did  the  news  of  the  mafl^cre  which  eafued 
•^      N  ''  reach 


r.    v.- 


[^    'Pi' 


■  I- 


;». 


i88 


XARVER's  TRAVELS. 


^ 


reach  his  ears,  than  he  put  an  iiMmed late  flop  to  the 
feftivity,  and  exclaimed  in  the  fevereft  term«  againft 
the  inhuman  permiiBe^^  declaring  at  the  fame  tinic 
4hat  thofe  ^ho  had  connived  at  it,  had  thereby  dravn 
down,  on  that  ^art  of  their  king's  dominions  the  ven- 
geance of  Heaven.  To  this  he  a  dded,  that  he  much 
feared  the  total  iofs  of  them  woul^Nlefervedly  be  the 
confequence.  How  truly  Ithis  prediftlon  has  been 
verified  we  well  know. 

But  to  return — ^Though  the  Indians  are  negligent 
in  guarding  againft  furpriils,  they  are  alert  and  dex- 
trous  in  furprifing  their  enemies.  To  their  caution 
Tind  perfeverancc  in  dealing  on  the  party  they  defign 
to  attack,  they  add  that  admirable  talent,  or  rather 
inftindtive  qualification  I  have  already  defcribed,  of 
tracing  out  thofe  they  are  in  purfuit  of.  On  the 
fmootheft  grafs,  on  the  hardeft  earth,  and  even  on 
the  very  ftones,  will  they  difcover  the  traces  of  an 
enemy,  and  by  the  fliape  of  the  foot-fteps,  and  the 
diftance  between  the  prints,  didinguiih  not  only 
whether  it  k  a  man  or  woman  who  has  pafled  that 
way,  but  even  the  nation  to  which  they  belong. 
However  incredible  this  might  appear,  yet,  from  the 
many  proofs  I  received  whilflr  among  them  of  their 
amazing  fagacity-in  this  point,  I  fee  no  reafon  to  dif- 
crcdit  even  theie  extraordinary  exertions  of  it. 

When  they  ha\  z  overcome  an  enemy,  and  vi£lory 
is  no  longer  doubtful,  the  conquerors  lirft  difpatch 
idl  fuch  as  they  think  they  fliall  not  be  able  to  carry 
off  witheut  great  trouble,  and  then  endeavour  to  take 
as  many  prifoners  as  poflible  ;  after  this  they  return 
to  fcalp  thofe  who  are. either  dead,  or  too  much 
wounded  to  be  taken  with  them. 

At  this  bufinefs  they  are  exceedingly  expert.  They 
feize  the  head  of  the  difabled  or  dead  enemy,  and 
placing  one  of  their  feet  on  the  neck,  twift  their  left 
hand  in  the  hair  ;  by  this  means,  having  extended  the 
&in,  that  covers  th^e  top  of  the  head,  they  draw  out 

their 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS.. 


is. 


their  fcalping  knives,  wMcIi  are  always  kept  in  gord 
order  for  this  cruel  purpofe,  and  with  a  few  dextrous 
ftrokes  take  off  the  part  that  is  termed  the  fcalp* 
They  are  fo  expeditious  ingoing  this,  that  the  whole 
time  required  ibarcely  exce'eda  a  minute.  Thefe  they 
preferve  as  monuments,  of  their  prowefs,  and  at  the 
fame  time  as  proofs  q£  the  vengeance  they  have  in- 
flicted on  their  enemies. 

If  two  Indians  feize  Jp  the  fame  inftant  a  prifoner, 
and  feem  to  have  an  equal  claim,  the  conteft  between 
tliem  is  foon  decided  j  for  to  put  a  fpeedy  end  to  any 
difpute.  that  might  arife,  the  perfon  that  is  apprehen- 
iye  he  flia.ll  lofe  his  expefted  reward,  immediately 
has  recourfe  to  his  tomahawk  or  wat-club,  and 
Icnocks  on  the  head  the  unhappy  caufe  of  their  con« 
tcntion* 

Having  conpletcd  their  purpofesji  and  made  as 
jnuch  iiavoc  as  poflible,  they  immediately  retire  to- 
wards their  own  country,  with  the  fpoil  they  have 
acquired,  for  fear  of  being  purfued. 

Should  this  be  the  cafe,  they  make  ufe  of  many 
ftratagems  to  elude  the  fe arches  of  their  purfuers. 
They  fometimes  fcatter  leaves,  fand,  or  duft  over 
the  prints  of  their  feet ;  fometimes  tread  in  each  o- 
tier's  fo6tftep3  :  and  fomet-*^es  lift  their  feet  fo  high 
and. tread  fp  lightly,  as  not  to  make  any  impreffion  oa 
the  ground.  But  if  they  find  all  Ihefe  precautions 
Unavailing,  and  that  they  are  near  being  overtaken,, 
they  iirf:  difpatch  and  fcalp  their  prifoners,  and  thei> 
dividir-g,  each  endeavours  to  regain  his  native  coun- 
try by  a  dificrent  route.  This  prevents  all  further 
purluit ;  for  their  purfuers  now  'impairing,  either  of 
gratifying  their  revenge,  or  of  releafing  thofe  of  their 
friends  who  were  made  captives,  return  home. 

If  the  fuccefsful  party  is  fo  lucky  as  to  make  good' 
their  retreat  unmolefied,  they  hallen  witli  the  greateft 
expedition  to  reach  a  country  where  they  may  be  per- 
kiily  fecure  ;  and  tliat  their  wounded  companions 

may 


Ikr'  ■  Mij 


I9» 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


may  not  retard  their  flight,  they  carry  them  hy  turns 
in  litters,  or  if  it  is  in  the  winter  »feafon  draw  them 
©n  fledges. 

Their  litters  arc  madf  tft  a  rude  manner  of  the 
branches  of  trees.  Theif  hedges  confifl  of  two  fmall 
thin  boards,  about  a  foot  wide  when  joined,  and  near 
fix  feet  long.  iThe  forepart  iS'turned  up,  and  the 
fides  are  bordered  with  fmall  bancte  The  Indians 
draw  thele  carriages  with,  gn^t  eafe,  be  they  everfo 
much  loaded,  by  means  of  a  ftring  which  pafl^es  roun4 
♦the  bread.  This  collar  is  called  a  Metump,  and  is  in 
wfe  throughout  America,  fe|lth  in  the  fettlements  and 
the  internal  parts.  Thofe  ufed  in  the  latter  are  made 
of  leather,  and  very  curioufly  wrought. 

The  prisoners  during  their  march  are  guarded 
trith  the  greateft  cnrc.  jDiiring  the  day,  if  the  joiir- 
,  ufliy  Isf  over  land,  they  are  alwa-ys  held  by  fome  of  the 
viAbriotis  party  ;  if  by  water,  they  are  fattened  to 
the  canoe.  In  the  night  time  they  are  ftretched  ai- 
long  the  ground  quite  naked,  with  their  l^gs,  arms, 
and  neck  faftened  to  hooks  ^xed  in  the  ground.  Be- 
fides  this,  cords  are  tied  to  their  arms  or  legs,  which 
are  held  by  an  Indian,  who  inftantly  awakes  at  the 
leaft  motion  of  them. 

Notwlthftanding  fuch  precautions  are  ufually taken 
by  the  Indians,  it  is  recorded  in  th»  annals  of  New- 
England,  that  one  of  the  weaker  fex,  alinoft  alone, 
arid  unafliiled,  found  means  to  elude  the  vigilance  of 
a  party  of  warriors,  and  not  only  to  make  her  eicape 
from  them,  but  to  revenge  the  cauie  of  her  coun* 
trymen. 

Some  years  ago,  a  fmall  band  of  Canadian  Indians, 
confifling  of  ten  warriors  attended  by  two  of  their 
wives,  made  an  irruption  into  the  back  fettlements  of 
New-England.  They  lurked  for  fome  time  in  the 
vicinity  of  one  of  the  moft  exterior  towns,  and  i.t 
length,  after  having  killed  and  fcalped  feveral  people, 
found  means  to  take  prifoner  a  woman>  #ho  liad  with 

her 


CARVER'S  TRAVE;.S. 


i9f 


n  by  turns 
draw  them 

ler  of  the 
f  two  fmall 
d,  and  near 
>,  and  the 
he  Indians 
hey  ever  fo. 
afles  roun^ 
P,  and  is  in 
ements  and 
:r  are  made 

re  guarded 
if  the  joiiN 
fome  of  the 
fattened  t(> 
trctched  sl- 
ings, arms, 
round.  Be- 
legs,  which 
ikes  at  the 

ifually  taken 
lils  of  New- 
^oft  alone, 
vigilance  of 
her  eicape 
»f  her  coun- 

ian  Indians, 
wo  of  their 
ttlements  of 
time  in  the 
rns,  and  ^t 
^eral  people, 
ho  liad  with 
her 


her  a  "fon  of  about  twelve  years  of  age.  Being  fatis« 
£ed  with  the  execution  they  had  done,  they  retreated 
towards  their  native  countr]|,  which  lay  at  three  hun- 
ted miles  diftaace,  and  catti^ed  off  with  them  their 
two  captives.        ^  .. 

The  fecond  'night  of  their  retreatj  the  woman, 
whofc  name,  if  I  mrfirstl^e  not,  was  Rpwe,  formed  a 
refplution  worthy^of  the  mofl  intrepid  hero.  She^ 
thought  fhe  fhould  be  ablr  to  get  from  her  hands  the 
manacles  by  which  they  were  confined,  and  determin- 
ed if  Ihe  did  fd  to  make  a<4efl?erate  effort  for  the  re- 
covery of  her  freedom.  To  this  purpofe,  when  ihe 
concluded  that  her  conquerors  were  in  their  fbundeft 
fleep,  (he  ftrove  to  flip  the  cords  from  her  hands.  In 
this  fhe  fucceeded ;  and  cautioned  her  fon,  whom 
they  had  fuffercd  to  go  unbound,  in  a  whifper,  againft 
behig  furprifed  at  what  fhe  was  about  tp  do,  fhe  re- 
moved at  a  diftance  with  great  warinefs  the  dcfenfive 
weapons  of  the  Indians,  which  lay  by  their  fides. 

Having  done  this,  fhe  put  one  of  the  tomahawks 
iifljp  the  hands  of  the  boy,  bidding  him  to  follow  her 
example  ;  and  taking  anotJier  herfelf,  fell  upon  the 
fleeping  Indians,  feveral  of  whom  ftic  inflantly  dif- 
patched.  But  her  attempt  was  nearly  fruflrated  by 
the*- imbecility^ of  her  fon,  who,  wanted  both  ftrength 
and  refolutioiq^i  made  a  feeble  flroke  atone  of  them, 
which  only  feVved  to  awaken  him  *,  flie  however 
fprung  at  the  rifing  warrior,  and  before  he  could  re- 
cover his  arms,  made  him  fmk  under  the  weight  of 
her  tomahawk  *,  and  .this  flie  alternately  did  to  all  the 
reft,  except  one  of  the  women,  who  awoke  in  time, 
and  made  her  efcape. 

The  heroine  then  took  of  the  fcalps  of  her  vanquifli- 
ed  enemies,  and  feizing  alfo  tliofe  they  were  carrying 
away  with  them  as  proofs  of  their  fuccefs,  flie  return- 
ed in  triumph  to  the  town  from  whence  flic  had  fo 
lately  been  dr^ged,  to  the  great  aitonifliment  of  her 
,  neighbours. 


KM 


1 92 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


neighbours,  who  could  fcarcely  credit  their  fenfes,t» 
the  teftimonies  flie  bore  of  her  amazonian  intrepidity. 

During  their  march  they  oblige  their  prifoners  to 
fing  their  death-fong,  which  generally  confifts  of 
thefe  or  fimilar  fentences  :  "  I  am  going  to  die.  I  am 
^bout  to  fuffer ;  but  I  will  bear  the  fevered  tortures 
my  enemies  can  infli<fl:,  with  becoming  fortitude.  I 
will  die  like  a  brave  man,  and  I  fiiall  then  go  to  join 
the  chiefs  that  have  fufFered  on  the  fame  account."— 
Thefe  fongs  are  continued  with  neceflary  intervals, 
until  they  reach  tlie  village  or  camp  to  which  they 
are  going. 

When  thewarrlors^re  arrived  within  hearing,  they 
fet  up  different  <;ries,  which  communicates  to  their 
friends  a  general  hiftory  of  the  fuccefs  of  the  expedi- 
tion. The  nuniber  of  the  death-cries  they  give,  de- 
clare how  many  of  their  own  party  are  loft  ;  the  num- 
ber  of  war-whoops,  the  niimberof  prifoners  they  have 
taken. 

It  is  difficult  to  defcribe  thefe  cries,  but  the  beft 
idea  I  can  convey  of  them  is,  that  the  former  confifts 
of  the  found  whoo,  whoo,  whoop,  which  is  continu- 
ed in  a  long  fhrill  tone,  nearly  till  the  breath  is  ex- 
haufted,  and  then  broken  off  with  a  fudden  elevation 
of  the  voice.  The  latter,  is  a  loud  cr^^much  the 
fame  kind,  which  is  modulated  into  noralpy^  the  hand 
being  placed  before  the  mouth.  Both'orthem  migh^ 
be  beared  to  a  very  confiderable  diilance. 

Whilft  thefe  are  uttering,  the  perfons  to  whom 
they  are  defigned  to  convey  the  intelligence,  contin- 
ue motionlefs  and  all  attention.  Wheh  this  ceremo- 
ny is  performed,  the  whole  village  iflue  out  to  learn 
the  particulars  of  the  relation  they  have  juft  heard  in 
general  term,  and  accordingly  as  the  news  prove 
mournful  or  the  contrary,  they  anfwer  by  fo  many 
acclamations  or  cries  of  lamentations. 

Being  by  this  time  arrived  at  the  village  or  camp, 
the  women  and  childreii  ara^  themfelves  with  ftickj 

and 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


>93 


andWm!g€ons,  and  form  themfclves  into  two  ranks, 
through  whicli  the  prifoner$  are  obliged  to  pafs.  The 
trcatn-ent  they  undergo  before  they  reach  the  extre- 
mity of  the  Hne,  is  very  fevere.  Sometimes  they  are 
fo  beatin  over  the  head  and  face,  as  to  have  fcarcely 
any  remains  of  life  >  and  happy  would  it  be  for  them 
if  by  this  ufage  an  end  was  put  to  their  wretched  be- 
ings. But  their  tormentors  take  care  that  none  of 
the  blows  they  give  prove  mortal,  as  they  wifh  to  rc- 
ferve  the  raiferable  fufFerers  for  more  fevere infifiSlions. 

After  having  undergone  this  introduftory  difci- 
pline,  they  are  bound  hand  and  foot,  whilft  the  chiefs 
hold  a  Council  in  which  their  £ate  is  determined, 
Thofe  who  .ire  decreed  to  be  put  to  death  by  the 
uftial  torments,  are  deUvercd  to  the  chief  of  the  war- 
liors  i  fuch  as  are  to  be  fpared,  are  given  into  the 
hands  of  the  chief  of  the  nation  :  fo  that  in  a  (hort 
time  all  the  prifoners  may  be  aflured  of  their  fate, 
as  the  fentenceiiow  pronounced  is  irrevocable.  The 
former  they  term  being  configned  to  the  houfe  of 
death,  the  latter  to  the  houfe  of  grace. 

Such  captives  as  arc  pretty  far  advanced  in  life, 
and  have  acquired  great  honor  by  their  warlike  deeds, 
always  atont  for  the  blood  they  have  fpilt,  by  the 
tortures  ,of <  fire.  Their  fuccefs  in  war  is  readily 
known  hytfefi  blue  marks  upon  their  breads  and  arms, 
which  are  as  legible  to  the  Indians  as  letters  are  te 
Europeans. 

The  manner  in  which  thefehierogl)  phicks  are  made, 
is  by  breaking  the  flcin  with  the  teeth  of  fifh,  or  ihar- 
pened  Hints,  dipped  in  a  kind  of  ink  made  of  the  ioot 
of  pitch  pine.  Like  thofe  of  the  ancients  Picis  of 
Britain  tnefe  are  efteemed  ornamental ;  and  at  the 
Hime  timcYhey  fcrve  as  regiiters  of  the  heroic  aclions 
of  the  warrior,  who  thus  bears  about  hiiu  indelible 
m.irks  of  his  valour. 

The  prifoners  deftined  to  death  are  {oon  led  t-> 
the  place  of  execution,  which  is  «encrallv  in  the  ren- 

R         ^  '  ti-c    • 


;lHv!- 


194 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


trc  of  the  camp  or  village  \  where,  being  ftript,  and 
every  part  of  their  bodies  blackened,  the  (kin  of  a 
crow  or  raven  is  fixed  on  their  heads.  They  are  then 
bound  to  a  (lake,  with  faggots  heaped  around  them 
and  obliged,  for  the  laft  time,  to  fing  their  deaths 
Tong. 

The  warriors,  for  fuch  it  is  only  who  commonly 
fufrer  this  punifhment,  now  perform  in  a  more  prolix 
manner  this  fiid  (bkmnity.  They  recount  with  an 
audible  voice  all  the  brave  a^.ons  they  have  perform* 
ed,  and  pride  themfelves  in  the  numoer  of  enemies 
they  have  killed.  In  this  rehearfal  they  fpare  not  even 
their  tormentors,  but  (Irive  by  every  provoking  talc 
they  can  invent,  to  irritate  and  infult  them.  Some- 
times this  has  the  defired  effe6:>  and  the  fufFercrs  are 
difpatched  fooner  than  they  otherwlfe  would  have 
been. 

There  are  many  other  methods  which  the  Indians 
make  ufe  of  to  put  th^r  prifoners  to  death,  but  thefe 
are  only  occailonal ;  that  of  burning  is  moll  gener- 
ally ufed. 

Whilft  I  was  at  the  chief  town  of  the  Ottagaumies, 
an  Illinois  Indian  was  brought  in>  who  had  been 
made  prifoners  by  one  of  their  war-parties.  I  had 
then  an  opportunity  of  feeing  the  cuftomary  etuelties 
infli(Sled  by  thefe  people  on  their  captives^  through 
the  minuteft  part  of  their  procefs.  After^^lie  previ- 
ous fteps  neceiTary  to  this  condemnation,  he  was 
carried,^  early  in  the  morning,  to  a  little  diftance  from 
the  town,  where  he  was  bound  to  a  tree. 

This  being  done,  all  the  boys,  who  amounted  to  a 
great  number,  as  the  place  was  populous,  were  per- 
mitted to  amufe  themfelves  with  (hooting  their  ar- 
vows  at  the  unhappy  vi£tim.  As  they  were  none  of 
them  more  than  twelve  years  old,  and  were  placed  at 
a  con  (ider able  diftance,  they  had  not  ftrength  to  pe- 
netrate to  the  vital  parts^  fo  that  the  ppor  wretch 

Hood 


CARVKR's  TRAVELS. 


195 


ftdod  pierced  with  arrows,  and  fufFering  the  confc- 
quent  agonies,  for  more  than  two  days. 
>  During  this  time  he  fung  his  warlike  exploits. 
He  recapitulated  every  ftratagem  he  had  made  uic 
of  to  furprife  his  ,  nemies  :  he  boailed  of  the  quan- 
tity of  fcalps  he  poflefled,  and  enumerated  the  pri- 
fonefshehad  taTcen.  He  then  defcribcd  the  dit^h'er- 
ent  barbarous  methods  by  which  he  had  put  the  lat- 
ter to  death,  and  feemed  even  then  to  receive  incon- 
ceivable pleafure  from  the  recital  of  the  horrid  tale. 

But  he  dwelt  more  particularly  on  the  cruelties  he 
had  praftifcd  on  fuch  of  the  kindred  of  his  preicnt 
tormentor$  as  had^  fallen  into  his  hands ;  endeavour-- 
ingby  theft  aggravated  infults  to  induce  them  to  iii- 
cteafe  his  tortures,  tijat  he  might  be  able  to  give 
greater  proofs  of  fortitude.  Even  in  the  laft  drug- 
gies of  life,  when  he  was  no  longer  able  to  vent  in 
words  the  indignant  provocation  his  tongue  would 
have  uttered,  a  fmile  of  fhingled  fcorn  and  triumph 
fat  on  his  countenance. 

This  method  of  tormenting  their  enemies  is  confi- 
dcred  by  the  Indians  as  produ6tive  of  more  than  one 
beneficial  confe quince.  It  fatiates,  in  a  greater  de- 
gre€j  that  diabolical  luft  of  revenge,  which  is  the  pre- 
dominant pafiion  in  thebrcall  of  every  indivi^^al  of 
every  tril^^  and  it  gives  the  growing  warriors  an 
early  propthfity  to  that  cruelty  and  thirft  for  blood, 
which  is  fo  neceflary  a  qualification  for  fuch  as  would 
be  thoroughly  ikilled  in  their  favage  art  of  war. 

I  have  been  informed,  that  an  Indian  who  was 
under  the  hands  of  his  tdrmqitors,  Ikad  the  audacity 
to  tell  them,  that  they  were  ignorant  old  womenj  and 
did  not  know  how  to  put  brave  prifoners  to  death. 
'He  acquainted  them  that  he  had  heretofore  talten 
fome  of  their  warriors,  and  inftead  of  the  trivial  pun- 
iftiments  they  infli<^ed  on  him,  he  had  devifed  for 
them  the  moft  excruciating  torments ;  that  having 
bound  them  to  a  flake,  he  had  iluck  their  bodies) 

full  ' 


"^  :t 


fl 


« .:! 


196 


CARVER'S  TRAM:lS. 


m 
m 

ii 


full  of  fliarp  fpliiitcrs  of  turpentine  wood,  to  whidi 
he  then  fet  fire,  and  dancing  around  them  enjoyed 
the  agonizing' pangs  of  the  flaming  vi<^im8. 

This  bravado,  which  carried  with  it  a  degree  of 
infult,  that  even  fHe  accuftomed  ear  of  an  Indian 
eould  not  liden  to  unmoved,  threw  his  tormentoro 
off  their  guard,  and  iliorteued  the  duration  of  lug 
torments ;  for  one  of  the  chiefs  ran  to  him,  anj 
ripping  out  his  heart,  ftoppcd  with  it  the  mouth  from 
which  had  iliued  fuch  provoking  language. 

Innumerable  are  the  (lories  that  may  be  told  of  ihe 
courage  and  refolution  of  the  Indians,  who  1 


la 


ppen 

to  be  made  prifoners  by  their  adverfiries.  Many 
that  I  have  hearit  are  fo  aftonifliing,  that  they  feem 
to  exceed  the  utmofl  limits  of  credibility  ;  it  is,  how- 
ever, certain  that  thefe  fnv^gcs  are  poflefled  with  ma- 
ny heroic  qualities,  and  bear  every  fpecies  of  misfor- 
tunes with  a  degree  of  fortitude  which  has  not  been 
outdone  by  any  of  the  ancigit  heroes  either  of  Greece 
or  of  Rome. 

Notwith Handing  thefe  zdts  of  feverffy  cxerciftd 
by  the  Indians  towards  thofe  of  their  own  fpecies, 
who  fall  into  their  hands,  fome  tribes  of  them  have 
been  remarked  for  their  moderation  to  fuch  female 
prifoners,  belonging  to  the  Engliih  colonies  as  hatne 
happened  to  be  taken  by  them.  Women  of  great 
beauty  h;ivs  frequently  been  carried  off  h/  fhcm,  and 
during  a  march  of  three  or  four  hundred  miles, 
through  their  retired  forefts,  have  lain  by  tKeir  fides 
without  receiving  any  infult,  and  their  chaftity  has 
remained  inviojate.  Inilances  have  happened  where 
female  captiveSj^^who  have  been  pregnant  at  the  time 
of  tfieir  beljig  taken,  have  found  the  pangs  of  child- 
birth come  upon  them  in  the  midft  of  folitary  woods, 
tnd  favdgcs  their  only  companions ;  yet  from  thefe, 
lavages  355  they  were,  have  they  received  every  aflift- 
stnce  their  fit uation  would  admit  of,  andLbeen  treated 
with  a  degree  of  delicacy  and  humarffty  they  little 
effected,  This 


QARVER's  TRAVELS. 


197 


J.  to  wliieli 

m  enjoyed 

s. 

a  degree  of 
an  Indian 
tormentors 
tion  oflufi 
I»ini,  and 
nouth  from 
e. 

told  of  ihe 
lio  happen 
es.  Many 
tt  they  fcera 
>  it  is,  hew- 
ed with  ma- 
s  of  misfor- 
las  not  been 
er  of  Greece 

fy  cx<:rcifed 
own  fpccies, 
f  tliem  have 
fuch  female 
nies  as  hatne 
lien  of  great 
f  them,  and 
idred  miles, 
y  tHeir  fides 
chaflity  has 
)encd  where 
:  at  the  time 
igs  of  child- 
itary  woods, 
from  thcfe, 
every  affifl- 
been  treated 
they  little 
This 


.  •This  forbearance,  it  mud  be  acknowledged,  does 
not  proceed  altogether  from  their  difpofition,  but  is 
only  inherent  in  thofe  who'f^xhave  fonje  communica- 
tion with  the  French  miffionaries.  Without  intend- 
ing that  their  natural^il'cnemie^  the  EngliOi,  fliould 
enjoy  the  benefit  of  their  labours,  thefe  fathers  have 
taken  great  pains^to  inculcate  on  the  minds  of  the 
Indians  the  general  principles  of  humanity^  which 
has  difTufed  itfelf  through  their  manners,  and  has 
proved  of  public  utility. 

"Wiofe  prifoners  that  arc  configned  to  the  houfc 
of  grace,  and  thcfe  are  commonly  the  young  men, 
w<»men,  an4  children,  await  the  dilpofal  of  the  chiefs, 
,  wh0|  after  the  execution  of  fuch  as  arc  condemned 
,  to  die,  hold  a  council  for  this  purpofe. 
,    A  herald  is  fent  round  the  viHagc  or  camp,  to  giE£ 
notice  that  fudh  as  have  \o(t  any  relations  in  the  late 
expedition,  are  defired  to  attend  the   diftribution 
which  is  about  to,  take  place.     Thofe  women  who 
have  loft  their  fons  or  hufbands,  arc  generally  fatis- 
iied  in  the  firft  place  ;  after  thefe,  fuch  as  hay|X  been 
deprived  of  friends  of  a>more  remote  degree  of  con- 
fanguinity,  ofi^ho  choofe  to  adopt  fome  of  the  youth. 
r     The  divifion  being  made,  which  is  done,  as  in  o- 
4l^er  cafes,  without  tne  leaf):  difjpute,  thofe  who  have 
received  auy  (hare,  lead  them  to  their  tents  or  huts ; 
and  havillg'  unbound  them,  wafh  and  drcfs  their 
wounds  if  they  happen  to  have  received  any  ;  they 
then  cloath  them,  and  give  them  the  mofl  comforta- 
ble and  refrefliing  food  their  ftore  will  afford. 

Whilft  their  new  domeftics  are  ^ding,  they  en- 
deavour to  adminiftcr  confolation  to  them  •,  they  tell 
them  that  as  they  are  redeemed  from  death,  they  mufl 
now  be  cheerful  and  happy  \  and  if  they  ferve  them 
well,  without  murmuring  or  repining,  nothing  fhall 
be  wanting  to  make  them  fuch  atonement  for  the  lofs 
of  their  country  and  friends  as  circumitances  will  al« 
low  of:     *  . 

Ha*  U 


i 


% 

i 


'm    '' 


m  '>'■ 


1g$ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i 


f, 


If  any  men  are  fparcd,.  they  art  commonly  giVen 
to  the  widows  that  huv^  lift  thciVr-hurjands  by  tlie 
iiand  of  the  enemy,  illOuld  there  be  any  fuch,  lo 
whom,  if  they  happert  to  prove  agreeable,  they  arc 
foon  married.  But  'Ihould  ilie  dame  be  otherwile 
engaged,  the  life  of  him  who  falls  to  her  lot  is  in 
great  danger  ;  efpecially  if  (lie  falhcHfe  that  her  late 
hufband  wants  a  Hue  in  the.  country  of  fpirits,  tu 
which  he  is  gone.  *        ;    ^  w 

When  this  is  the  cafe,  a  number  of  young  men 
take  the  devoted  captive  to  fomeniiftance,  and  dif- 
patch  him  without  any  ceremony :  after  he  has  bee» 
jpared  by  the  council,  they  confider  him  of  too  little 
confequence  to  be  entitled  to  the  torment$ti11otted  to 
thofe  who  have  been  judged  worthy  of  them. 

The  women  arc  ufually  diftributed  to  the  men, 
rom  whom  they  do  not  fail  of  meeting  with  a  favour- 
able reception.  The  boys  and  girls  are  taken  into 
the  families  of  (uch  as  have,  need  of  them,  and  are 
confidered  as  flaves;  and  it  is  not  uncommon  that 
they  a|^  fold  in  the  fa.ii||s  capacity  to  the  Euiopean 
traderrWho  come  amgng  th«m. 

The  Indians  have  no  idea  of  mo^fratin^  the  rav- 
ages of  war,  by  fparing  their  prifoners,  and  entering 
into  a  negociation  with  the  band  from  whom  the^i^ 
liavc  been  taken,  for  an  exchange.  All  that  are  cap- 
tivated by  both  parties,  are  either  pu^|o  de^th,  adopt- 
ed, or  made-flaves  of.  And  fo  partlfular  are  every 
jiation  in  this  refpe£t,  that  if  any  of  their  tribe,  even 
u  v/ariior,  fhould  be  taken  prifoner,  and  by  chance 
be  received  into  ij^e  houfe  of  grace,  either  as  an  adopt- 
r  d  perfon  ^^  flave,  and  Should  afterward  make  his 
^Itfcape,  th^wift  by  no  means  receire  him,  or  ac- 
knowledge hi  rn  a^  one  of  their  band. 

The  condition  of  fuch  as  are  adopted,  ci'ffers  not 
in  ai|jr  one  ifidance  from  the  children  of  tht  nation 
tatliirmch  they  now  belong.     They  afltoie  all  the 
thofe^  whofe  places  they  fuppjt^  and  fre- 
'  qucntly 


CAftVER'8  TRAVELS. 


^9i 


iim,  or  ac- 


queRly  *Twkc  no  difficulty  of  going  In  the  war-parties 
againd  their  own*  countrymen.  Should,  however, 
any  of  tliofe  by  chdnce  makc^eir  efcape,  and  be  af- 
terwards retaken^,  they  arc  eftecmcd  as  unnatural 
children  and  ungrateful  pcrfons,  who  have  deferted« 
and  made  war  \ipon  their  parents  and  benefactors, : 
and  arc  treatcdl%idiui^cohimon  feverity. 

That  part  of  the  prifencrs  which  are  confidered  as 
flaves,  are  generally  di(hrtbuted  among  the  chiefs ; 
who  fi^uently  make  prtfents  of  fome  of  them  to  the 
fiiiropean  governors  of  the  out-pofts,  or  to  the  fu- 
perintendants  or  commiiTaries  of  Indian  affain.  I 
Uve  been  informed  that  it  was  the  Jefuits  and  French 
jniflionaridlMiat  firil  occaHoned  the  introdu6lion  of 
thefe  unhapjiry  captives  into  the  fettlemcnts,  and 
who  by  fo  doing  taught  the  Indians  that  they  were,^ 
valuable. 

Their  views  indeeil  were  laudable,  as  they  imagin« 
cd  that  by  this  method  they  fhould  not  only  prevent 
much  barbarity  and  bloodfhed,  but  find  the  opportu- 
nities of  fpreading  their  reiigiott  among  them  ea^eaf- 
<d.  To  mis  purpofe  th«y  encouraged  the  traders  to 
purchafe  fuch  ftijpes  as  they  met  \vith. 

The  good  efFc^s  of  this  mode  of  proceeding  were 
lift  however  equal  to  the  expeftations  of  thefe  pious 
fathers.  Inflead  of  being  the  means  of  preventing 
cruelty  amt  bloodfhed,  it  only  caufed  diiTentions  be- 
tween the  Indi!(#«ations  to  be  carried  on  .with  a 
greater  degree  of  violence,and  with  unremitted  ardour. 
The  prize  they  fought  for  being  no  longer  revenge 
or  fame,  but  the  acquirement  of  i]pilntuous  liquors, 
for  which  iktir  captives  were  to  be  cxths^ffiged,  and 
of  which  almoft  every  nation  is  immoderately  fond, 
they  fought  for  their  enemies  witfi  unwonted  ala- 
h'lty,  and  were  conftantly  on  the  watch  to  furprifc 
and  carry  them  off. 

It  n^igbt^^  be  faid  that  fewer  of  tlic  captives  are 
tormented  Wl  put  to  death,  fince  thefe  expei^Jitions 

of 


*,{: 


-ac©  CARViiJ^'s  TRAV^^jLS. 

of  receiving  fo  ^aluablc^,^  confidi^^tion  for  theie^vc 
been  excited  than  there  ufudly.  had  been  *,  but  it  does 
not  appear  that  their%:^ftomea  cruelty  to  the  war- 
Tiprs  thej  take,  is  inlthe  leaiVaba^fd  ;  their  natural 
ileOrc  of  vengeance  muft  begratified  ;  they  now  only 
becop^e  more  aiTiduous  i(i  fecuring  a  greater  number 
of  young  prifoners,  whvJft  tjiofe  wj||l  are  made  cap. 
tive  in  their  defence,  are  tormented  sad  put  to  dead) 
as  before.  r*.  vift(^ 

The  miflionaric^  findm&that  contrary  to  their 
wiihes,  their  zeal  had  only  ierv<2!)l  to  increafe  the  tale 
of  the  noxious  juices,  applied  to  the  governor  of 
Canada,  in  the  year  1693,  for  a  prohibi^on  of  this 
baneful  trade.  An  order  was  iffued  acgi|ilngly)  but 
it  could  not  put  a  total  ftop  to  it  i  the  French  Couri- 
ers de  Boi's  were  hardy  enough  to  carry  it  on  clan^t 
tinely,  notwithftanding  the  penalty  annexed  to  a 
bre«ch  of  the  prohibition  was  a  conHderable  fine  and 
imprifonmcnt. 

Some  who  were  detefted  in  the,  profecutlon  of  it, 
withjdrew  into  the  In^aiA  countries,  where  they  in- 
termarried with  th&^ative«»  and  underwent  a  volun. 
tary  baniihment.  ']niere  howevei^j^^ing  an  aban- 
doned and  debauched  fet,  their  conau£t  contributed 
very  little  either  towards  reforming  the  manners  of 
their  new  relations,  or<  engaging  them  to  entertain  a 
favorable  opinion  of  the  religion  they  profeiled.  Thus 
did  thefe  indefatigable,  religious  m«j|4  fee  their  defigns 
in  fome  meafure  once  m<3ff€  fruftrated.  *    ^ 

However,  the  emigration  was  produ£t!ve  of  an  ef- 
fe6l  which  tuwied'  out  to  be  beneficial  to  their  nation. 
By  the  cotiiiieiiiion  of  thefe  refugees  with  the  Iroquois, 
Miff'^Tuages,  Hnrons,  Miamies,  Powtowottomies,. 
Puants,  Menomonies,  Algonkins,  &c.  and  the  con- 
flant  reprefentations  thefe  various  nations  received 
fxom  them  of  the  power  and  grandeur  of  the  French, 
to  the  aggrandizement  of  v/faofe  monaiph,  notwith- 
ftanding their  banifluwwitj^iey  ftill  retiixjed  their  ha- 

l^itual 


dF 


CAPvVER's  TRAVFXS. 


201 


k  but  it  does 
[to  the  war- 
kir  natural 
py  now  only 
Iter  number 
;  made  cap- 
put  to  death 

/»7  to  their 

Jcafe  the  i»k 

jgovernor  of 

ion  of  this 

. .  '^»gly,  but 
[cnch  Couri- 
on  cJan^t 
|nexed  to  a 
ible  fine  and 

cution  of  it, 
sre  they  in- 
cnt  a  volun- 
ig  an  aban- 
contributed 
manners  of 
•  entertain  a 
[led.  Thus 
their  deiigns 

i^e  of  an  ef- 
heir  nation, 
lie  Iroquois, 
•wottomies,. 
d  the  con- 
is  received 
he  French, 
I,  notwith- 
;d  their  ha- 
bitual 


bf®inclmation,tkip  Indians  bacDin€  infenfibly  pre- 
judiced  in  favor  of  |]bat  people,  and  I  am  per^uadcd 
will  take  every  opportuaity  of  fliewing  their  attach* 
ment  to  them.  - 

And  this,  even  in  defpitc  of  the  difgvactful  eftima- 
tion  they  niuft^  held  by  them,  fmcc  they  have  btecn 
driven  cut  of  Ohada  j  for  the  Indiars  confider  eve- 
ry conquered'-people  as  in  a  ftate  of  vaffalage  to  their 
conquerors.  Aft<;r  one'l&tion  has  finally  fubdued  a- 
.nother^  and  a  conditioifif  fubmiilion  is  agreed  on,  it 
i#cuftomary  for  the  chiefs  of  the  conquered,,  when 
they  fit  in  council  with  their  fubduers,  to  wear  petti- 
coats, as  an  acknowledgment  that  they  are  in  a  ilate 
of  fubje^^  arid  ought  to  be  ranked  among  tide  wo- 
men. Their  partiality  to  the  French  has  however 
ttOcen  too  deep  root  for  time  itfelf  to  eradicate  it> 


C  H  A  P  T  ]|  R    X. 

dJP  rNJUIJt  UdNNER  OF  MAiCJNG  PBACBy  '^c. 


HE  wars  tJiat  arc  carried  on  between  the  India* 
nations  are  hi  general  hereditary,  and  continue  frors 
age  to  age  iR'itIi||^few  intemptions.  If  a  peace  be* 
comes  necelTaryi  the  principal  care  of  both  parties  i« 
to  a"oid  the  appearance  of  making  the  fl Vft  advances. 
When  they  treat  witK  an  enemy,  relative  to  a  fuf- 
pcufion  of  hoflilities,  the  chief  who  is  cpmraiflloned 
to  undertake  the  negociation,  if  it  is  not  brought  about 
by  the  mediation  of  fome  neighbouring  band,  abates 
rbthing  of  his  natural  haughtinefs :  even  when  the  af- 
fairs of  his  country  are  in  the  woift  fituation,  he 
mtikcs  no  concefiions,but  endeavours  to  perfuade  his 
adverfaries  thaf  it  is  their  intereft  to  put  an  end  to 
the  war.  Accidents 


;  "U 


''M> 


'.  %t^i 


■  i 


■;.- 


» » f-  •> 


toz 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


V- 


ii 


y 


■'1 


i 


. 


'm. 


Accidents  fometimcs  cont ribtite  to  bring  about  a 
peace  between  nations  that  otherwife  couid  not  be 
prevailed  on  to  liften  to  terms  of  accommodation.  An 
inilance  of  this,  which  I  heard  of  in  almoll  every  na- 
tion I  pafled  through,  I  (hall  relate. 

About  eighty  years  ago,  the  Iroquois  and  Chlpe- 
yrays,  two  powerful  nations,  were  at  trar  with  the  Ot- 
tagaiimies  and  Saukies,  who  were  much  inferior  to 
their  adverfaries  both  irt  numbers  and  ftrength.  One 
winter  near  a  thoufand  of  the  former  made  an  excur- 
fion  from  Lake  Ontario,  by  wayof  Toronto,  towards 
the  territories  of  their  enemies.  Th^y  coafted  Lake 
Huron  6n  its  eaft  and  northern  borders,  till  they  ar- 
rived at  the  illand  of  St.  Jofcph,  which  is  fituated  in 
the  Strait*  of  St.  Marie.  There  they  croHed  thefc 
Straits  upon  the  ice,  about  fifteen  miles  below  the 
falls,  and  continued  their  route  ft  ill  weftward.  As 
the  ground  was  covered  with  fnow  to  prevent  a  dif- 
covery  of  their  numbers,  they  marched  in  a  fingle  file, 
treading  in  each  others  footfteps. 

Four  Chipeway  Indians,  palling  that  way,  obferv- 
ed  this  army,  and  readily  gueffed  frpm,  the  direction 
of  their  march,  and  the  precautions  they  took,  both 
the  country  to  which  they  were  hafienin<r,  and  their 
dcfigns. 

Notwithftanding  the  nation  to  which  they  ^oelong- 
ed  was  at  war  with  the  Ottagaumie^^  and  in  alliance 
with  their  invaders,  yet  from  a  prifeiple  which  can-., 
not  be  accounted  for,  they  took  an  inftant  refolution 
to  apprife  the  former  of  their  danger.  To  this  pur- 
pofetheyhaftened  away  with  their  ufual  celerity,  and, 
taking  a  circuit  to  avoid  difcovtry,  arrived  at  the  hunt- 
ing grounds  of  the  Ottagauhiies,  before  fo  large  a 
body,  moving  in  fo  cautious  a  manner,  could  do.  There 
they  found  a  party  of  about  fotiftr  hundred  warriors, 
fom^  of  which  were  Saukies,  whom  they  informed  of 
the  approach  of  their  enemies. ,  M|  ' 

^      This 


^^ 


■pp 


CARVEPJs  TRAVELS, 


20  1 


if 


mg  about  a 
ould  not  be 
)dation.  An 


11  evi 


■ry  na- 


and  Chlpe. 
vith  the  Ot- 

inferior  to 
ength.  One 
ie  an  excur- 
ito,  towards 
)afled  Lake 
till  they  ar- 
i  fituated  in 
TofTed  thefc 
5  below  the 
ilward.  As 
revent  a  dif. 
a  fingle  file, 

vay,  obferv- 

he  direction 

took,  both 

5,  and  their 

hey  'belong- 
i  in  alliance 
which  can-.. 
t  refolution 
Fo  this  pur- 
elcrity,  and, 
at  the  hunt- 
fo  large  a 
ddo.  There 
d/  warriors, 
informed  of 

This 


The  chiefs  immediately  collefled  their  whole  force, 
and  held  a  council  on  iKe  fleps  that  were  to  be  tak- 
en for  their  defence.  As  they  were  eficumbered 
with  their  families,^  it  was  impofhble  that  they  could 
retreat  in  time  ;  they  therefore  determined  to  choofe 
the  moft  advantageous  fpot,  and  to  give  the  Iroquois 
the  bed, reception  in  their  power. 

Not  far  from  the  place  where  they  then  happened 
to  be,  ftood  two  fmall  lakes,  between  which  ran  a 
narrow  neck  of  land  about  a  mile  in  length,  and  only 
from  twenty  to  forty  yards  in  breadth.  Concluding 
that  the  Iroquois  intended  to  pafs  through  this  de^file, 
the  united  bands  divided  their  little  party  into  two 
bodies  of  two^hundred  each.  One  of  thefe  tookpoft 
atflie  extremity  of  the  pafs  that  lay  neareft  to  their 
hunting  grounds,  which  they  immediately  fortified 
with  a  breaft-work  formed  of  palifades  ;  whilft  the 
other  body  took  a  compafs  round  on.  of  the  lakes, 
wi*h  a  defign  to  hem  their  enemies  in  when  they  had 
entered  the  defile. 

Their  ftratagem  fuccceded  j  for  no  fooner  had  the 
whole  of  the  Iroquois  entered  the  pals,  than,  being 
proiridcd  with  wood  for  the  purpofe,  they  formed  a 
Jimilar  breaft  work  on  the  other  extremity,  and  thus 
cnclofed  their  enemies. 

The  Iroquois  foon  perceived  their  fituation,  and 
immediately  held  ?>  council  on  the  meafures  that  were 
necelTary  to  be  perfvied  to  extricate  themfelves.  Un- 
luckily for  them  a  thaw  had  juft  taken  plac  ,  which 
had  fo  far  diflblved  the  ice  as  to  render  it  impaifible, 
?nd  yet  there  ftiU  remained  fufijcient  to  prevent  them 
from  either  pafling  'over  the  lake  on  rafts,  or  from 
fwimming  acrofs.  In  this  dilemma  it  was  agreed 
that  they  iliould  endeavour  to  force  one  of  the  brcjft 
works  ;  but  they  foon  found  them  too  well  defended 
to  effedl  their  purpofe. 

Notwithftanding  this  difappointment,   with    the 
ufual  compofure  and  unapprchcnfivcnefy  of  Indians, 

-  they 


I  [f 


r^ir 


lit 


jfc  ■   , 


2^4 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


they  amufed  themfelyes  diree  or  four  days  in  fifhing. 
By  this  time  the  ice  beinff  quite  dSflblved,  they  made 
themfelves  rafts,  -which  they  were^riabled  to  do  by 
fome  trees  that  fortunately  grew  oh  the  fpot,  and  at- 
tempted to  crofs. one  of  the  lalses. 

They  accordingly  fet  offbefore  daybreak  ;  but  the 
Ottagaumies,\vho  had  been  watchful  of  their  motions, 
perceiving  their  delign,  detached  one^  hundred  and 
fifty  men  from  each  of  their  parties,  to  oppofe  their 
landing.  Thefe  three  hundred  marched  fo  expedi- 
tioufly  to  the  other  fide  of  the  lake,  that  they  reached 
it  before  their  opponents  had  gained  the  ihore,  they 
being  retarded  by  their  poles  fticking  in  the^  mud. 

As  foon  as  the  confederates  arrived,  fhcy  poured 
in  a  very  heavy  fire,  both  from  their  bows  and  muf- 
^uctry,  on  the  Iroquois,  whitli  greatly  difconcerted 
them  •,  till  the  latter  finding  their  fituation  defperate, 
leaped  into  the  water,  and  fought  their  way  through 
their  enemies.  Thi«  however  they  could  not  do  with- 
out lofing  more  than  half  their  men. 

After  the  Iroquois  had  landed,  they  made  good  their 
retreat,  but  were  obliged  to  leave  their  enemies  maf- 
ters-ofthe  field,  and  in  pofi'efiion  of  all  the  furs  they 
had  taken  during  their  winter's  hunt.  Thus  dearly 
did  they  pay  for  an  unprovoked  excurfion  to  fuch  a 
difiance  from  the  route-thcy  ought  to  have  purfued, 
and  to  which  they  were  only  impeiled  by  a  fudden  dc- 
llre  of  cutting  off  fome  of  their  ancient  enemies. 

But  had  they  known  their  ftrength,they  might  have 
dcflroyed  every  mari  of  the  party  that  oppofed  them ; 
which  even  at  the  firft  oniet  was  only  inconfiderable, 
and  when  diminitlied  hy  the  action,  totally  unable  to 
make  any  ftand  again  ft  them. 

The  vi^orioLis  bands  rewarded  the  Chlpeways, 
who  had  been  the  means  of  their  fucccls,  with  a  fharc 
of  thefpoils.  They  prefled  them  to  take  any  quanti- 
ty they  chofe  of  the  richeft  of  the  furs,'and  fcnt  them 
under  and  efcort  of  fifty  men,  to  their  own  country. 

^  The 


CARVER'S  travels;- 


20J' 


In  fifhing. 

they  made 

to  do  by 

ot,  and  at- 

k  ;  but  the 
eir  motions, 
andred  and 
oppofe  their 

fo  expedi- 
[\ey  reached 
ihore,  they 
le  mud. 
hey  poured 

and  muf- 
difconcerted 
in  defperate, 
ay  through 
not  do  with- 

ie  good  their 
jiemies  maf- 
le  furs  they 
Thus  dearly 
n  to  Aich  a 
ive  purfued, 
a  fudden  dc- 
nemies, 
y  might  have 
pofed  them ; 
confiderable, 
ly  unable  to 

Chlpeways, 
,  with  a  ihare 
c  any  quanti- 
nd  fcntthein 
own  country. 

'yuc 


The  difintcrefted  Chipel^riysi'as-  the  Indians  in  gene-  ^ 
ral  are  feldoma£lttftto^%y  mercenary  motives,  for  a  ^ 
confiderable  time, Tcfufedthefcprefents,  but  were  at 
length  perfuSded'tif  accept  of  them. 

The  brayie  and  well  concerted  refiftance  here  made 
by  the  Ottggaun^ies  and  Saukies,  aided  hy  the  medi- " 
ation  oithe  Chipeways,  who  laying  afide  on  this  occa- 
fion  the  animofity  they  had  fo  long  borne  thofe  people, 
approved  of  the  generous  condudl  of  their  four  chiefs, 
were  together  the  means  ofeffefting  a  reconciliation 
between  thefe  nations  ;  and  in  procefs  of  time  united 
them  all  in  the  bands  of  amity. 

And  I  believe  that  all  the  Indians  inhabiting  that 
extenfive  cooirttry,  which  lies  between  Quebec,  the 
banks  of  the  Miflifippi  north  of  theOuifconfin,and  the 
fettlements  belonging  to  the  Hudfon's  Bay  Companyi 
are  at  prefent  in  a  ftateof  profound  peace.  When 
their  reftlefs.difpofitions  will  notfuf^er  them  to  remain 
ina£live,  thefe  northern  Indians  feldom  commit  hof- 
tilities  on  each  other,  but  make  ejxcurfions  to  the  fouth- 
wards,  agaiiift  the  Cherokees^.Ohodahs,  Chickafaws 
or  Illinois. 

Sometimes  the  Indians  grtrw  tiredof  a  war  which 
tJiey  have  carried  on  againft  fome  neighbouring  nation 
for  many  years  without  much  fuccefs,  and  in  this  cafe 
they  feek  for  mediators  to  begin  a  negotiation.  Thefe 
being  obtained,  the  treaty  is  thus  conducted  : 

A  number  of  thehr  own  chiefs,  joined  by  thofe  who 
have  accepted  the  friendly  office,  fetout  together  for 
the  country  of  their  enemies  ;  fuch  as  are  chofcn  for 
thispurpofe,  are  chiefs  of  the  mofl  extenfive  abilities, 
and  of  the  greatefl  intcjrrity.  They  bear  before  them 
the  Pipe  of  Peace,  which  I  need  not  inform  my  rea- 
ders is  of  the  fame  nature  as  a  Flacj  of  Truce  among: 
the  Europeans,  and  is  treated  with  the  greatefl;  refpe(5t 
and  veneration,  eve?:  hy  the  moft  barbarous  nations. 
I  never  heard  of  an  inftance  wherein  the  bearers  of 
this  facred  badge  of  friendfliip  were  ever  treated  dif- 

S  refpedtfully, 


I, 


1^ 


'■*■•' 


'    \\ 


VI' 

'■J  I 


f: 


mO 


CARVKR's  TRAVELS. 


i 


4 


m.. 


refpii^tfuUy,  or  its  rights  violated.  The  Indians  be- 
lieve that  the  Great  Spirit  never  fuffers  an  infraction 
of  this  kind  to  go  uftpuniQied. 

The  Pipe  of  Peace,  which  is  ternnjed  byihe  French 
the  Calumet,  for  what  reafon  I  could  never  learn,  is 
;ibout  four  f'^jt  long.  The  bowl  of  it  is  made  of  red 
marble,  and  the  ftem  of  it  of  a  light  wood,  curioufly 
painted  with  hieroglyphicks  in  various  colors,  and  a- 
dorned  with  feathers,  of  the  moft  beautiful  birds; 
but  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  convey  an  idea  of  the 
various  tints  and  plcafing  otnaments  of  this  much 
ellsemed  Indian  implement. 

Every  nation  has  a  different  method  of  decorating 
thefe  pipes,  and  they  can  tell  at  firll  fight  to  what 
band  it  belongs.  It  is  ufed  as  an  introduction  to  all 
treaties,  and  great  ceremony  attends  the  ufe  of  it  on 
thefe  occafions. 

The  afhftant  or  aid-de-camp  of  the  great  warrior, 
when  the  chiefs  afe  affembled  and  feated,  fills  it  witlv 
tobacco  mixed  with  the  herbs  before  mention-id,  talc- 
ing care  at  the  fame  time  that  no  part  of  it  touches 
the  ground.  When  it  is  filled,  he  takes  n  coal  that 
h  thoroughly  kindled,  from  a  fire  which  is  generally 
kept  burning  in  the  midd  of  the  aflembly,  and  places 
it  on  the  tobacco. 

As  Coon  as  it  is  fufliciently  lighted,  he  throws  off 
the  coal.  He  then  turns  the  item  of  it  towards  the 
heavens,  after  this  towards  the  earth,  and  now  hold- 
ing it  horizontally,  moves  h'unfelf  round  till  he  has 
completed  a  circle  ;  by  the  firll  a£lion  he  is  fuppof'J 
to  prefent  it  to  the  Great  Spirit,  whofe  aid  is  thereby 
fupplicated ;  by  the  fecond,  to  avert  any  malicious 
iiiterpofition  of  the  evil  fpirits  ;  and  by  the  third  to 
gain  the  protedliOn  of  the  fprits  inhabiting  the  air, 
the  earth,  and  the  waters.  Havin^r  thus  fecured  the- 
favor  of  thofe  invifible  igents,  in  whofe  power  they 
fuppofe  it  is  either  to  forward  or  obftrudt  the  ilfuc  of. 
their  prefcat  deliberations,  he  prefents  it  tQ  the  hered- 
itary 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


267 


n^i 


at  watnor. 


itary  chief,  who  havhig  taken  two  or  three  whiffs, 
blows  the  fmoke  from  his  mouth,  firft  towards  hea- 
ven, and  then  around  hirti  upon  the  grouiid. 

It  is  afterwai*^s  put  in  the  fame  manrilf  into  the 
jriouths  of  the  amballadors  or  ftrange^^,  who  ohferve 
the  fame  ceremony,  then  to  the  chief  of  the  warriors, 
and  to  all  the  other  chiefs  in  tura,  according  to  their 
gradation.  During  this  time  the  perfon  who  exe- 
cutes this  honorable  office  Kolds  the  pipe  flightiy  in 
his  hand,  as  if  he  feared  to  prefs  the  facrcd  inttru- 
ment ;  nor  4o€S  any  one  prefume  to  touch  it  but  with 
his  lips. 

When  the  chiefs  who  are  intruded  with  the  com- 
jiiiffion  fof  making  peace,  approach  the  town  or  camp 
to  which  they  are  going,  they  begin  to  fing  and  dance 
the  fongs  and  dances  appropriated  to  this  occafion. 
By  this  time  the  adverfc  party  are  apprifed  of  they: 
arrival,  and,  at  the  fight  of  the  Pipe  of  Peace  divell- 
ing  themfelves  of  their  wonted  enemy,  invite  them 
to  the  habitation  of  the  Great  Chief,  and  furnifli  ihcni 
with  every  convenicncy  during  the  negotiation. 

A  council  is  then  heU  )  and  when  the  fpceches 
and  debates  are  ended,  it  no  obftru£lions  arife  to  put 
a  ftop  to  the  treaty,  the  painted  hatchet  is  buried  in 
the  ground,  as  a  memorial  that  all  animofities  betweea 
the  contending  nations  have  ceafcd,  and  a  peace  tak- 
en place.  Among  the  ruder  bands,  fuch  as  have  no 
comtnunication  with  the  Europeans,  a  war-club, 
painted  red  is  buried,  inftead  of  the  hatchet. 

A  belt  of  wampum,  is  alfo  given  on  this  cccafton, 
which  ferves  as  a  ratitication  of  the  peace,  and  re- 
cords to  the  latcft  pofterity,  by  the  l.ieroglyphicks  in^ 
to  which  the  beads  are  formed,  every  ftipulated  arti- 
cle in  the  treaty. 

"  Thefe  belts  are  made  of  lliells  found  on  the  coafts 
of  New-England  and  Virgifiia,  which  are  fawed  out 
into  beads  of  an  oblong  form,  about  a  quarter  of  au 
inch  long,  and  round  like  other  beads.  Being  ftrung 

on 


f      \    .  ■ 


>.f 


■    ■-'  !? 


•5     t! 


P.K 


■  ■  i' 


20$ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


■■■■U> 


on  leather  ftiings,  and  feveral  of  them  fcwcd  neatly 
together  with  fine  finewy  threads,  they  then  compofe 
what  is  termed  a  belt  of  Wampum. 

ThO'^ilftlJs  are  generally  of  two  colors,  fomc  white 
and  otheiiiu  violet ;  but  the  latter  are  more  highly  ef- 
teemed  than  the  former.  They  are  held  in  as  much 
eltimation  by  the  Indians,  as  gold,  filrer,  or  precious 
ilones,  are  by  the  Eiiropeans. 

The  belts  are  compoibd  of  ten,  twelve,  or  a  greater 
iii^mber  of  firings,  according  to  the  importance  of  the 
affair  in  agitation,  or  the  dignity  of  the  perfon  to 
.whom  it  is  preibnted.  On  more  trifljng  occifionr,, 
ftrings  of  thefe  beads  are  prefeuted  by  the  chiefs  to 
each  other,  and  frequently  worn  by  t^em  about  their 
fiecks^  as  a  valuable  ornament. 


C  H  A  I>  T  E  R    XL  ' 

OF   THEIR  GAMES^ 
'  H  ■ 

S  I  have  before  obfervcd,  the  In<lians  are 
greatly  addidl:ed  to  gaming,  and  wilLeven  Itake,  and 
lofe  with  compoftjire,  all  the  valuables  they  arc  pofleff- 
cd  of.  They  amufe  themfelves  at  feveral  forts  of 
games,  but  the  principal  and  moft  efleemed  amcng 
them  is  that  of  the  ball,  which  is  not  unlike  the  Eu- 
ropean game  of  tennis. 

The  balls  they  ufe  are  rather  larger  than  thofe  made 
ufe  of  at  tennis,  and  axe  formed  of  a  piece  of  deer- 
ikin  ;  which>  being  moiflened  to  render  it  fupple,  is 
llufFed  hard  with  the  hair  of  the  fame  creature,  and 
fewed  with  its  fmews.  't\\Q  ball-fticks,  are  about  three 
feet  long,  at  the  end  of  %hich  there  is  fixed  a  kind  of 
racket,  refembling  the  palm  of  the  hand,  and  fafhion- 
€d  of  thongs  cut  from  a  deer-ikin.    In  thefe  they 

catch 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


20tj 


-wed  neatly 
en  compofe 

fome  white 
c  highly  ef- 
in  as  much 
or  precious 

or  a  greater 
tance  of  the 
e  perfon  to 
occijfions, 
ne  chiefs  to 
about  iheir 


Inci.ians  are 
>nitakc,  and 
fare  pofleff- 
;ial  forts  of 
med  amcng 
like  the  £u- 

1  thofe  made 
:ce  of  deer- 
it  fupple,  is 
eature,  and 
about  three 
cd  a  kind  of 
and  falhion- 
thefe  they 
catch 


catch  the  ball,  and  throw  it  to  a  great  diftarce,  if  they 
ire  not  prevented  by  fome  of  the  oppofite  party,  who 
fly  to  intercept  it. 

This  game  is  generally  played  by  large  tOir  panics, 
that  fometimes  confift  of  more  than  thret  hundred  j 
and  it  is  not  uncommon  for  different  bands  tc  play  a- 
gainft  each  other. 

They  begin  by  fixing  two  poles  in  the  ground  at  a- 
bout  fix  hundred  yards  apaf^,  and  one  of  thefe  goals 
belong  to  each  party  ot  the  combatants.  The  ball  in 
thrown  up  high  in  the  centre  of  the  ground,  and  in 
a  direft  line  between  the  goals  :  towards  which  each 
party  endeavours  to  flrike  it,  and  whichfoever  fulc 
firft  caufes  it  to  reach  their  own  goal,  reckons  towards 
the  game. 

They  are  fo  exceeding  dextrous  in  thfs  manly  ex*. 
crcife,  that  the  ball  is  ufually  kept  flying  in  different 
direftions  by  the  force  of  the  rackets,  without  touch- 
ing the  ground  during  the  whole  contention  ;  for  they 
are  not  allowed  to  catch  it  with  their  hands.  They 
run  with  amazing  velocity  in  purfuit  of  each  other, 
and  when  one  is  on  the  point  of  hurling  it  to  a  great 
diftance,  an  antagonifl;  overtakes  hii|b  ^d  by  a  fud- 
den  flroke  dafhes  down  the  balL 

They  play  with  fo  much  vehemence  that  ihey  fre- 
quently wound  each  other,  and  fometimes  a  bone  is 
broken  ;  but  notwithflranding  thefe  accidents  there 
never  appeanto  be  any  fpitc  or  wanton  exertiojis  of 
ftrength  to  affecSl:  theni^  nor  do  any  difputes  ever 
happen  between  the  parties. 

There  is  another  game  .alfo  in  ufe  among  them 
worthy  of  remark,  and  this  is  the  game  of  the  Bowl 
or  Platter.  This  game  is  played  between  two  per- 
fons  only.  Each  perfon  has  fix  or  eight  little  bones 
not  unlike  a  peachftone  either  in  fize  or  fliape,  except 
that  they  are  quadrangular  ;  two  of  the  fides  of  which 
are  colored  black,  and  the  others  white.  Thefe  they 
throw  up  into  the  air,  from  whence  they  fail  into  u 

S  2  »  bowl 


■V 


■   > 

i 


.)'■  - 


i 

M 

M 

1^1 

tto 


cArver'3  travels. 


:M 


m 

■m 


bow}  or  platter  placed  underneath,  and  made  to  (pin 
round. 

According  as  t'^cfe  bones  prerent  the  white  or  black 
fide  upwards  they  reckon  the  game  ;  ho  that  happens 
to  have  the  greateft  number  turn  up  ot  a  fimilar  co- 
lor, counts  five  points  ;  and  forty  is  the  game. 

'l^hc  winning  party  keeps  his  place,  and  the  lol«  r 
yields  his  to  another^|^'hc  is  appointed  by  one  of  the 
umpires  ;  for  a  whole  ▼iilagt  is  fometimes  concerned 
in  the  party,  and  at  times  one  band  plays  agaiuil  hiio- 
ther. 

During  this  play  the  Indians  appear  to  bo. greatly 
agitated,  at  every  decifive  throw  fet  up  a  hidtovia. 
Ihout.  They  make  a  tliouftind  contprtions,  uddref- 
iing  ihcmfelvcs  at  the  iame  time  tothe  bout- ,,  and 
loading  with  imprecations,  the  evil  Spirits  that  afilft 
their  fuccefsful  antagonifts. 

At  this  game  fome  will  lofe  their  apparel,  all  the 

moveabh^s  of  their  cabins,  and  fometimes  even  their 

I'v^  /Jiberty  ',  notwiihftanding  there  are  no  people  in  the 

vniverle  more  jealous  of  the  latter  than  the  Indiana 

are. 


C  HA  P  T  E  R     XII. 

•  OF  THEiR  MARRIAGE  CEREMONIES^  ^^c 

X  HE  Indians  albw  of  polygamy,  and  perfons. 
ef  every  rank  indulge  themfelvcs  in  this  point.  The 
^liLefs  in  particular  have  a  feraglio,  which  eonfifts  of 
«iu  uncertain  number,  ufually  from  Irx  to  twelve  of 
fourteen.  The  lower  ranks  are  permitted  to  take  as 
many  as  th.re  is  a  probability  of  their  being  able, 
with  the  children  they  may  bear,  to  maintain.  It  is 
not  uncomrapu  for  an  Indian  to  marry  two  fiftcrs  j 
,    "  fometimes, 


CARVI^R's  T!lAVELl 


zit 


femetimcs,  if  there  happen  to  he  more,  the  v^^hok: 
number  }  and  notwithilanding  this  (as  it  appears  to 
civilized  nations)  unnatural  union,  they  all  live  in  the 
greateit  harmony. 

The  younger  wives  are  fubmiflive  to  the  elder  •, 
and  thofe  wjjo  have  no  children,  do  fuch  menial  offi- 
ces for  thofe  who  are  fertile,  as  caufcs  their  fituatioa 
to  differ  but  little  from  a  ttatCDf  fervitude.  Hov/- 
ever  they  perform  every  injun^oh  with  the  greateit 
chfe^rfulncfs,  in  hopes  of  gaining  thereby  the  affc'-:- 
tion  of  their  hulbands,  that  they  in  their  tyr^js  may 
iiave  the  happinefs  of  becoming  mothers,  and  be  en- 
titled to  the  refpeiH:  attendant  on  that  ilate. 

It  is  not  uncommon  for  an  Indian,  although  he 
takes  to  himfelf  fo  many  wives,  to  live  in  a  ftate  of 
continence  with  many  of  them  for  feveral  years. 
Such  as  are  not  fo  fortunate  as  to  gain  the  favor  of 
their  hufband,  by  their  fubmiflive  and  prudent  beha- 
viour, and  by  that  means  to  fhare  in  his  embraces, 
continue  in  their  virgin  ftate  during  the  whole  of  their 
Jives,  except  they  happen  to  be  prefcntcd  by  him  to 
ibme  ftranger  chief,  whofe  abode  among  them  will 
not  admit  ,of  his  entering  into  a  more  lafting  connec- 
tion. In  this  cafe  they  fubmit  to  the  injun<Slion  ofr 
their  hufband  without  murmuring,  and  are  not  dif- 
pleafed  to  the  temporary  union.  But  if  at  any  time 
it  is  known  that  they  take  this  liberty  without  firlt 
receiving  his  confent,  they  are  puniftied  in  the  fame 
manner  as  if  they  had  been  guilty  of  adultery .r 

This  cuftom  is  more  prevalent  among  the  nations,' 
which  lie  in  tlic  interior,  parts,  than  among  thofe 
lliat  are  nearer  the  fettlemerits,  as  the  manners  of  the 
latter  are  rendered  more  conformable  in  fome  points 
to  thofe  of  the  Europeans,  by  the  intercourfe  they 
hold  with  them. 

The  Indian  nations  differ  but  little  from  each  other 
in  their  marriage  ceremonies,  audkfs  in  the  ir.annev 

of 


fr3_ 

-t    ^-'".'ki 


":  -ii  J 


ais^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


Ml 


1  i.i ':  r     i 


\^ 


of  their  divorces.    The  tribes  that  inhabit  the  bordors 
of  Canada,  make  ufe  of  the  following  cuftom. 

When  a  young  Indian  has  fixed  his  inclinations  on 
one  of  ^he  other  fex,  he  endeavours  to  gain  her  con- 
fent,  and  if  he  fuccteds,  it  is  never  known  that  her 
parents  ever  ob(lru€l  thrir  union.  When  every  pre- 
liminary is  agreed  on,  and  the  day  appointee!,  the 
friends  and  acquaWance  of  both  parties  aiTemblc  at 
the  houfe  or  tent  of  the  oldcfl  relation  of  the  bride- 
groom, where  a  feaft  is  prepared  on  the  occafion. 

The  company  who  meet  to  aflift  at  the  fcftival  are 
fometimes  very  numerous  :  they  dance,  they  fing,  and 
enter  into  eVery  other  diverfion  ufually  mad»  ufe  of 
on  any  of  their  public  rejoicings.-    , 

When  thefe  are  finiihed,  all  tHoft  Who  attended 
merely  out  of  ceremony  depart,  and  the  bridegroom 
and  bride  are  left  alone  with  three  or  four  of  the 
neareil  and  old  ;ft  relations  of  either  (ide  ;  thofe  of  the 
bridegroom  beu^^  men,  and  thofe  of  the  bride,  wo- 
men. 

Prefently  the  bride  attended  by  thefe  few  friends, 
having  withdrawn  herfelf  for  the  purpofe,  appears  at 
one  of  the  doors  of  the  hotrte,  and  is  led  to  the  bride- 
groom, who  ftands  ready  to  receive  her.  Having 
now  taken  their  ilation,  on  a  mat  placed  in  the  centre 
of  the  room,  they  lay  hold  of  the  extremities  of  a 
wand,  about  four  feet  long,  by  which  they  continue 
feparated,  whilfV  the  old  men  pronounce  fome  (hort 
harangues  fuitable  to  the  occafion. 

The  married  couple  after  this  make  a  public  decla- 
ration of  the  loTc  and  regard  they  entertain  for  each 
other,  and  ftiil  holding  the  rod  between  them,  dance, 
and  fiPg.  When  thty  have  finilhtd  this  part  of  the 
ceremony,  they  break  the  rod  into  as  many  pieces  as 
their  ave  witneiTes  prefent,  who  each  take  a  piece,  and 
preferveit  with  grtat  care. 

The  bride  is  then  recondu^ed  out  of  the  door  at 
which  Hie  entered,  where  her  young  companions  wait 

to 


CA^RrVER's  TRAVELS. 


*t$ 


f 


fy  attend  her  to  her  father's  houfe  *,;  there  the  bride- 
groom i»  obliged  to  feek  her,  and  the  marriage  is 
confum mated.  Very  often  the  wife  remains  at  her 
father's  houfe  till  flie  has  a  child,  when  fiie  |)acks  up 
her  apparel,  which  is  all  the  fortune  flic  is*  generally 
poiTeiled  ofj  and  accompanies  her  hufband  to  his  ha« 
bitation. 

When  from  any  diflike  a  fep^tion  takes  place,  for 
they  are  feldom  knoAvn  to  quarrel,  they  generally 
give  their  friends  ,a  few  days  notice  of  their  inten- 
tions, and  foinctimes  offer  reafons  to  juftify  their  gon-  • 
d\\&.  The  Witneffes  who  were  prefent  at  the  mar- 
riage, meet  oit-^he  day  requefted,  at  the  houfe  of  the 
couple  that  fire-about  to  feparate,  and  bringing  with  - 
them  the  pieces  of  rod  which  they  had  received  at 
l^heir  nuptials,  throw  them  into  the  fire,  in  the  prc- 
Icnce  of  ill  the  parties. 

This  is  the  whole  of  the  ceremony  lequired.  and 
die  feparation  is  carried  on  without  any  mnrmurings 
or  iilwill  between  the  couple  or  their  relations  ;  and 
after  a  few  months  they  are  at  liberty  to  marry  again. 

When  a  marriage  is  thus  diflblved,  the  children' 
which  have  been  produced  from  it,  arc  equally  divid- 
ed between  them  }  and  a^  children  are  efteemed  a 
treafttrc  by  the  Indians,  if  the  number  happens  to  be 
odd,  the  woman  is  allowed  to  lake  the  better  half. 

Though  this  cuftom  it^ms  to  encourage  ficklenef? 
and  frequent  feparationa,  yet  there  are  many  of  the 
Indians  who  have  but  one  wife,  and  enjoy  with  her  a 
ftate  of  connubial  happihefa  not  to  be  exceeded  in 
more  refined  focictics.  There  are  alfo  not  a  few  in- 
ftances  of  women  preferving  an  inviolable  attachment 
to  their  hufbands,  except  in  the  cafes  before-men- 
tioned, which  are  not  confidered  as  either  a  violation 
©f  their  chaftity  or  fidelity. 

Although  I  have  faid  that  the  Indian  nations  difFei* 
very  little  from  each  other  in  their  marriage  ceremo- 
nies, there  are  fome  exceptions.    The  Naudoweflies 

have 


••    ■•-■    (f ! 


Cf4 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


a 


'''[ 
S 


•:■  i: 

li 

■f 


liaj^e  a  fmgular  method  of  celebrating  their  marri- 
ages, which  ff^ems  to  bear  no  resemblance  to  thofe 
made  ufe  of  by  any  other  nation  I  pafled  through. 
When  one  of  their  young  men  has  fixed  on  a  young 
woman  he  approves  of,  he  difcovers  his  paflion  fo  l>er 
parents,  who  give  him  an  invitation  to  come  and  live 
with  them  in  their  tent. 

He  accordingly  Accepts  the  offer,  and  by  fo  doing 
engages  to'refide  in  it  for  a  whole  year,  in  the  cha- 
racter of  a  menial  fervant.  During  this  time  ht 
hunts,  and  brings  all  the  game  he  kills  to  the  family  j 
by  which  means  the  father  has  an  opportunity  of  fee- 
ing whether  he  is  able  to  provide  for  the  fupport  of 
his  daughter  and  the  children  that  might  be  the  con- 
fequence  of  their  union.  This  however  is  only  done 
whilft  they  are  young  men,  and  for  their  firft  wife, 
and  not  repeated  like  Jacob's  fervitudes. 

When  this  period  is  expired,  the  marriage  is  folem- 
nized  after  the  cuftom'  of  the  country,  in  the  follow, 
ing  manner :  Three  or  four  of  the  oldeft  male  rela- 
tions of  the  bridegroom,  and  as  many  of  the  bride's^ 
accompany  the  young  couple  from  their  refpe(Skiv? 
tents,  to  an  open  part  in  the  centr«  of  tht  camp. 

The  chiefs  and  warriors,  being  here  aflembled  to 
receive  them^  a  party  of  the  latter  arc  drawn  up  in 
two  ranks  on  each  fide  of  the  bride  and  bridegroom 
immediately  on  their  arrival.  Their  principal  chief 
then  acquaints  the  whole  aflembly  with  the  defignof 
their  meeting,  and  tells  them  that  the  couple  before 
them,  mentioning  at  the  fame  time,  their  names,  arc 
come  to  avow  publickly  their  intention*  of  living  to- 
gether as  man  aud  wife.  He  then  a(ks  the  two  young 
people  alternately,  whether  they  defire  that  the  union 
might  take  place.  Having  declared  with  an  audible 
voice  that  they  do  fo,  the  warriors  fix  their  arrows, 
and  difchargc  them  over  the  heads  of  the  married 
pair ;  this  done,  the  chief  pronounces  them  man  and 
wife. 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


215 


The  bridegroom  then  turns  rOHnd,  and  bending  his 
body,  takes  his  wife  on  his  back,  in  which  manner  he 
carries  her  amidft  the  accclamations  of  the  fpe(?!tators 

hs  tent.     The  ceremony  is  fucceeded  by  the  moft 
plftitiful  feall  the  new  married  man  can  afford,  and 
jrngsand  dances,  according  to  the  ufual  cuftom,  coii^, 
dude  the  fellivaL 

Divorces  happen  fo  I'eldom  ampng  the  Naudowef- 
fies,  that  I  had  not  an  opportunity  of  learning  how 
they  are  accomplifhed. 

Adultery  is  efteemed  by  them  a  heinous  crime,  and 
puniihed  with  the  greatelt  rigor.  The  hufband  in 
thefe  cafes  bites  off  the  woman's  nofe,  and  a  fepara^- 
tion  inftantly  enfues.  I  faw  an  inftance  wherein  this 
mode  of  punifhr^tnt  was  inflicted,  whilft  I  remained 
among  them.  The  children,  when  this  happens,  are 
(jiftributed  according  to  the  ufual  cuftom  obfervedby 
other  nations,  that  is,  they  are  equally  divided. 

Among  the  Indians  as  well  as  European  nations, 
there  are  many  that  devote  themfelves  to  pleafure, 
aud  notwithftanding  the  accounts  given  by  fome  mod- 
ern writers  of  the  rrigidity  of  an  Indian  conftitution, 
become  the  zealous  votaries  of  Venus.  The  young 
warriors  that  are  thus  difpofed,  feldom  want  opportu- 
nities for  gratifying  their  paffion  t  and  as  the  mode 
ufually  followed  onthde  oceafions  is  rither  fnigular, 
I  {hall  defcribe  it. 

When  one  of  thefe  young  debauches  imagines  from 
the  behaviour  of  the  perfon  he  his  chofen  for  his  mif- 
trefs,  that  he  fliali  not  meet  with  any  great  obftruc-« 
tion  to  his  fait  from  her,  he  purfues  the  following 
plan.  *"■.. 

It  has  been  already  obferved,  that  tlie  Indians  ac- 
knowledge no  fuperiority,  nor  have  they  any  ideas  of 
fubordinatlon,  except  in  the  neccffary  regulations  of 
their  vrar  or  hunting  parties  i  they  confequcntly  live, 
nearly  in  a  ftaie  of  equality,  purfuant  to  the  firft 
principles  of  nature.     The  lover  therefore  is  not  ap- 

prehcnfive 


!■     f 


-*; 


\^'% 


'ziS' 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


prehenfive  of  any  check  or  control  in  the  accompllfh- 
ment  of  his  purpofes,  if  he  can  find  a  convenient  op- 
portunity for  completing  them. 

As  the  Indians  are  alfo  under  no  apprehcnfion  of 
robbers,  or  fecret  enemies,  they  leave  the  doors  of 
th^ir  tents  or  huts  unfaftcncd  during  the  night,  as 
well  as  in  the  day.  Two  or  three  hftttrs  after  funfet, 
the  ilaves  or  old  people  cover  over  the  fire,  that  is 
generally  burningin  the  midft  of  their  apartment, with 
alhes,  and  retire  to  their  repofe. 

Whilft  darknefs  thus  prevails,  and  all  Jsquiet,  one 
of  thefe  fons  of  pleafure,  wrapped  up  clofely  in  his  ^ 
blanket,  to  prevent  his  being  known^  will  fometimes 
enter  the  apartment  of  his  intended  miilrefs.  Having 
firfl  lighted  at  the  fmoth^red  fire  a  fi^all  fplinter  of 
wood,  w^ich  answers  the  purpofe  of  a  match,  he  ap- 
proaches the  place  wheije  fhe  repofes,  and  gently  pul- 
ling away  the  covering  from  the  head,  jogs  her  till  fhe 
awakes.     If  ilie  then  rifes  up,  and  blows  out  the 
light,  he  needs  no  further  confirmation  that  his  com- 
pany is  not.difagreeablr ;  but  if,  after  he  has  difcov- 
cred  himfeif,  flie  hides  her  head,  and  takes  no  notice 
of  him,  he  might  reft  aflured  that  any  further  felici- 
tations will  prove  vain,  and,  that  it  is  neceflary  imme- 
diately for  him  to  retire. 
,  During  his^^y  he  conceals  the  light  as  much  m 
poflible  in  the  hollow  of  his  hands,  and  as  the  tents 
or  rooms  of  the  Indians  aire  ufually  large  and  capa- 
cious, he  efcapes  without  dete(5lion.     It  is  faid  that 
the  young  women  who  admit  their  lovers  on  tliefe  oc- 
cafions,  take  great  care,  by  an  immediate  application 
to  herbs,  with  the  potent  efficacy  of  which  they  arc 
well  acquainted;  fa  prevent  the  effe<^ls  of  thefe  rllicit 
amours  from  becoming  vilible  *,  for  fliould  the  natu- 
.  ral  confequences  enfue,  they  mull  forever  remain  un- 
married. 

The  children  of  the  Indians  are  always  diftinguifli- 
cd  by  the  name  of  the  mother  :  and  if  a  ^/oman  mar- 

lieg 


4 

'CARVEil's  TRAVELS. 


■ll^ 


^^ 


nes  feveral  liufbands,  and  has  iffiie  by  each  of  them, 
they  are  called  after  her.  The  reafon  they  give  for 
this  is>  ^hat  as  their  offspring  are  indebted  to  the  fath- 
er for  their  fouls,  the  invifible  part  of  their  efTence, 
and  to  the  mother  for  their  corporeal  and  apparent 
part,  it  is  more  rational  that  they  fhould  be  diflin- 
ffuiftied  by  the  name  of  the  latter,  from  whom  they 
indubitably  derive  their  being,  than  by  that  of  the 
father,  to  which  a  doubt  might  fometimes  arife 
whether  they  are  juftly  entitled- 

There  are  fome  ceremonies  made  ufc  of  by  the 
Indians  at  the  impofltion  of  the  name,  and  it  is  con- 
fidered  by  them  as  a  matter  of  great  importance  •,  but 
what  thefe  are  I  could  never  learn,  through  the  fecrc- 
fy  obferved  on  the  occafion.  I  only  know  that  it  is 
ufually  given  when  the  children  have  pafled  the  ftate. 
of  infancy. 

Nothing  can  exceed  the  tendernefs  fhown  by  them. 
io  their  offspring  ;  and  a  perfon  cannot  recommend 
himfelf  to  their  favour  by  any  method  more  certain, 
than  by  paying  fome  attention  to  the  younger  branch- 
es of  their  families.  I  can  impute,  in  fome  meafure, 
to  the  prefents  I  made  to  the  children  of  the  chiefs 
of  the  Naudoweffies,  the  hofpitable  reception  I  met 
with  when  among  them. 

There  is  fome  difficulty  attends  an  explanation  of 
the  manner  in  which  the  Indians  difllngu'fh  them- 
felves  from  each  other.  Be  fides  the  name  of  the  an- 
imal by  which  every  nation  and  tribe  is  denominated, 
there  are  others  that  arc  perfonal,  and  which  the» 
children  receive  from  their  mother. 

The  chief?  are  alfo  diftinguifhed  by  a  name  that: 
has  either  fome  reference  to  their  abilities,  or  to  the 
hieroglyphic  of  their  families  ;  and  thefe  are  acquired 
after  they  arrive  at  the  age  of  manhood.  Such  as 
have  fignalized  the tnfclves  either  in  their  war  or  hunt- 
ing parties,  or  are  pofTefTed  of  fome  eminent  qualifi- 
cation, receive  a  name  that  ferves  to  perpetuate  the 

T  fame 


V,^' 


*  . 


"'f1'f:1:  i 


V  vi' 


im, 


ai6 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


H 


1 


fame  of  thcfe  aftions,  or  to  make  their  abilities  con- 
fpicu  ms. 

Thus  the  great  warrior  of  the  NaudowefRes  wag 
seamed  Ottahtongoomliihcah,  tliat  is,  the  Great  Fath- 
er of  Snakes  ;  ottah  being  in  Englilh  father,  ton- 
goom  great,  and  lifhcah  a  fnake.  Another  chief  was 
called  Honahpawjatin,  which  means  a  fwift  running 
over  the  mountains.  And  when  they  adopted  me  a 
chief  among  them,  they  named  me  Shebaygo,  which 
fignlfies  a  writer,  or  a  perfon  that  is  curious  in  mak- 
ing hieroglyphics,  as  they  faw  me  often  writing. 


CHAPTER    Xril. 

OF  riiEiR  RELIGION, 


I 


,T  is  very  difficult  to  attain  a  perfe6l  knowledge 
tjf  the  religious  principles  of  the  Indians.  Their  cere- 
monies and  doifiiines  have  been  fo  often  ridiculed  by 
the  Europeans,  that  they  endeavour  to  conceal  them ; 
and  if  after  the  greateft  intimacy,  you  defire  any  of 
them  to  explain  to  you  their  fyftem  of  religion,  to  pre- 
vent your  ridicule,  they  intermix  with  it  many  of  the 
tenets  they  have  received  of  the  French  naifTionaries, 
fo  that  it  is  at  laft  rendered  an  unintelligible  jargon 
and  not  to  be  depended  upon. 

Such  as  I  could  difcovcr  among  the  Naudowcfllej 
(for  they  alfo  were  very  rel'crved  in  this  point)  I  fhall 
give  my  readers,  without  paying  any  attention  to  the 
accounts  of  others.  As  the  religion  of  that  people 
from  their  fituation  appears  to  be  totally  unadulterat- 
ed with  the  fuperftitions  of  the  church  of  Rome,  we 
fliallbe  able  to  gain  from  their  religious  cuftoms  a 
more  pcrfccSt  idea  of  the  original  tenets  and  ceremo- 
nies of  the  Indians  in  general,  than  from  thofe  of  any 
nations  that  approach  nearer  to  the  fettlements. 

It 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


2iy 


ff  is  certain  they  ncknowlcdgc  one  Supreme  Being, 
or  Giver  of  Life,  who  prcfides  over  all  things.  The 
Chipeways  call  this  being  Manitou,  or  Kitchi  Mani- 
tou  i  the  Naudoweflies,  Wakon  or  Tongo-Wakpn, 
that  is,  the  Great  Spirit  *,  and  they  look  up  to  him  a/ 
the  fource  of  good,  from  whom  no  evil  can  proceed. 
They  alfo  believe  in  a  bad  fpirit,  to  whom  they  af- 
cribe  great  power,  and  fuppofe  that  throuj;h  his 
means  all  the  evils  which  befall  mankind  are  in^.li£lc(l. 
To  him  therefore  do  they  pray  in  their  diflrelTes,  beg- 
ging that  he  would  either  avert  their  troViblcs,  or 
moderate  them  when  they  are  no  longer  avoidable. 

They  fay  that  the  Great  Spirit,  who  is  infinitclr 
good,  neither  wifhes  or  is  able  to  do  any  mifchief  to 
mankind  ;  bi  on  the  contrary,  that  he  fhowers  down 
on  them  all  the  bleflings  they  defcrve  j  whereas  the 
evil  fpirit  is  continually  employed  in  contriving  how 
he  may  punifh  the  human  race ;  and  to  do  whicli  h« 
is  not  only  poflcfled  of  the  will,  but  of  the  power. 

They  hold  alfo  that  there  are  good  fpirits  of  a  lelTev 
degree,  who  have  their  particular  departments,  in 
which  they  are  conftantly  contributing  to  the  I'.appi- 
neils  of  mortals.  Thefe  they  fuppofe  to  prefidc  over 
all  the  extraordinary  produ£lions  of  nature,  fuch  as 
thofe  lakes,  rivers,,  or  mountains  that  are  of  an  un- 
common magnitude  5  and  likewifc  the  beafts,  birds, 
fifhes,  and  even  vegetables,  or  ftones  that  exceed  the 
reft  of  their  fpecies  in  fize  or  fingularity.  To  all 
of  thefe  they  pay  fome  kind  of  adoration.  Tlius 
when  they  arrive  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Superior,  or 
the  banks  of  the  Mifiifippi,  or  any  other  grtat  body 
of  water,  they  prefent  to  the  Spirit  whorcfides  there 
fome  kind  of  offering,  as  the  prince  of  the  Winneba- 
foes  did  when  he  attended  me  to  the  Falls  of  St. 
Anthony. 

But  at  the  fame  time  I  fancy  that  the  ideas  they  an- 
nex to  the  word  fpirit,  are  very  diflcrent  from  the 
conceptions  more  enlightened  nations  entertain  oi  it. 

They 


"IT'- 


320 


CARVER'.  TRAVELS. 


11  ■ 


I 


They  appear  to  Tufhion  to  themfelves  corporeal  re^ 
prefcntations  of  their  gods,  and  believe  them  to  be  of 
a  human  form,  though  of  a  nature  more  excellent 
than  man. 

•  Of  the  fame  kind  are  their  fcntiments  rclativi  to  a 
futurity.  They  doubt  not  but  they  fliall  exift  in  feme 
future  ftate  j  they  however  fancy  that  their  employ, 
ments  there  will  be  fimilar  to  thofe  they  are  engaged 
in  here,'without  the  labour  and  difficulties  annexed 
to  them  in  this  period  of  their  exillence. 

They  conf-^quently  expedi  to  be  tranflated  to  a  de- 
lightful country,  where  they  fhall  always  have  a  clear 
tmclouded  Iky,  and  enjoy  a  perpetual  Ipring  ;  where 
the  forefts  will  abound  with  game,  and  the  lakes  with 
iifh,  which  migh«-  be  taken  without  a  painful  exertion 
of  fkill,  or  a  laborious  purfuit ;  in  ihort,  that  they 
Ihall  live  forever  in  regions  of  plenty,  and  enjoy  eve- 
ry gratification  tliey  delight  in  here,  in  a  greater  de- 
gree. 

To  intellectual  pleafures  they  are  ftrangers  ;  nor 
are  thefe  included  in  their  fcheme  of  happinefs.  But 
they  expe£l:  that  even  thefe  animal  pleafures  will  be 
proportioned  anddiflributed  according  to  their  merit; 
the  Ikilful  hunter,  the  bold  and  fuccefsful  wairior, 
will  be  entitled  to  a  greater  fhare  than  thofe  who 
through  indolence  or  want  of  ikill  cannot  boaft  of  a- 
iiy  fuperiority  over  the  common  fterd. 

The  prierts  of  the  Indians  are  at  the  fame  time 
their  phyficians,  and  their  conjurers  ;  whilft  they  heal 
their  wounds,  or  cure  their  difeafes,  they  intf.rpret 
their  dreams,  give  them  protedive  charms,  and  fatis- 
fy  that  defire  which  is  fo  prevalent  among  them,  of 
fearching  into  futurity. 

How  well  they  execute  the,  Jatter  part  of  their 
profelfional  engagements,  and  the  methods  they  make 
ufe  of  on  fome  of  thefe  occafibns,  I  have  already 
ihewh  in  the  exertions  of  the  prieft  of  the  Killiftinoes, 
iivho  was  fortunate  enough  to  fucceed  in  his  extr^* 

ordinary 


CARVLR's  TRAVELS. 


12\ 


it  "'J 


or(!i»aTy  attempt  near  Lake  Superior.  They  fre- 
quently are  fuccefsful,  likewife  in  adminiflering  the 
laiubrious  herbs  they  have  acquired  a  knowledge  of ; 
but  that  the  ceremonies  they  make  ufe  of  during  the 
adminiftration  of  them  contributes  to  their  fuccefs,  I 
fliall  not  take  upon  me  to  aflert.  .  ^ 

When  any  of  die  people  are  ill,  the  perfon  who  is 
inveftedwith  this  triple  character  of  do£ter,  priefl, 
aiid  magician,  fits  by  the  patient  day  and  night,  rat- 
tling in  his  ears  a  goad  Ihell  filled  with  dry  beans, 
called  a  Chich'coue  and  making  a  difagreei*ble  noifc 
.that  connot  be  well  defcribed. 

This  uncouth  harmony  one  would  imagine  fhoiild 
di{turb  the  fick  perfon  and  prevent  the  good  Cil'tds 
of  the  doctor's  prefcription ;  but  on  the  contrary  they 
believe  that  the  method  made  ufe  of,  contributes  to 
his  recovery,  by  diverting  from  his  malignant  purpo- 
fes  the  evil  fpirit  v/ho  has  infle£led  the  diforder  ;  or 
at  lead  that  it  will  take  ofl'his  attention,  fo  that  ht: 
fliall  not  increafe  the  nvalady.  This  they  are  credu- 
lous enough  to  imagine  he  is  conftantly  on  the  watch 
to  do,  and  would  carry  his  inveteracy  to  a  fatal  length 
if  they  did  not  thus  charm  him. 

I  could  not  difcover  that  they  make  ufe  of  any 
other  rehgious  ceremonies  than  thofe  I  have  defcrib- 
ed ;  indeed,  on  the  apipeara,nce  of  the  new-moon  they 
dance  and  fing  ;  but  it  is  not  evident  that  they  pa/ 
that  planet  any  adoration  >  they  only  feem  to  rejoice 
at  the  return  of  a  luminary  that  makes  the  night  cheer- 
ful, and  which  ferves  to  light  them  on  tltir  way  when 
they  travel  during  the  abfcence  of  the  fan. 

Notwithftanding  Mr.  Adair  has  afieited  that  the 
nations  anaong  whom  he  refidcu,  obferve  with  very 
little  variation  all  the  rites  appointed  by  the  Mofaic 
L^w,  I  own  I  could  never  difcover  among  thofe  trtbes 
that  lie  but  a  few  degrees  to  the  north  weft,  the  lead 
taraces  of  the  Jewifli  religion,  except  it  be  admitted 
(kilt  one  particular  female  cuftom  <\nd  their  divifions 

"       Tx  "    iut© 


■'^  -t 


V 
4 


i   ;  f  ) 


122 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


into  tribes,  carry  with  them  proof  fufTicient  to  eftab. 
lifli  this  aflertion. 

The  Jeluits  and  French  mifnoiiaries  have  alfo  pre- 
tcnckd  that  the  Indians  had,  when  they  firft  travell- 
ed into  America,  fomc  notions,  though  thefe  w  : 
dark  and  confufed,  of  the  ehrittian  inftitution;  nat 
they  have  bee  i  gieatiy  aggitatedat  the  fight  of  a  crofs, 
and  given  proofs  by  the  impreflions  made  on  them, 
that  they  were  not  entirely  unacquainted  with  the 
facred  myfteries  of  Chriftanity.  I  need  not  fay  that 
thefe  are  too  glaring  abfurdities  to  be  credited,  and 
could  only  receive  their  exiftence  from  the  zeal  of 
thofe  fathers,  who  endeavoured  at  once  to  give  die 
public  a  better  opinion  of  the  fuccefs  of  their  miflions 
and  to  add  fupport  to  the  caufe  they  were  engaged  in. 

The  Indians  appear  to  bejn  their  religous  princi- 
ples, rude  and  UTiinfl:ru6led.  The  doctrines  they 
hold  are  few  and  fimple,  and  fuch  as  have  been  gen- 
erally imprcfled  on  the  human  mind,  byfome  means 
or  othqr,  in  the  moft  ignorant*ages.  They  however 
have  not  deviated,  as  many  other  uncivilized  nations^ 
and  too  many  civiliz-ed  ones  have  done,  into  idolatrous 
modes  of  worlhip  ;  they  venerate  indeed  an^  make 
offerings  to  the  wonderful  parts  of  the  creation,  as  I 
have  before  obferved  ;  but  whether  thofe  rights  are 
perfoi  med  on  account  6f  the  impreflion  fuch  extraor- 
dinary appearances  make  on  them,  or  whether  they 
confidcr  them  as  he  peculiar  charge,  or  the  ufual 
places  of  refidenc ;  of  the  invifible  fpirits  they  ac- 
kowledge,  I  cf.nnot  pofitively  determine. 

The  human  mind  in  its  uncultivated  ftate  is  apt 
to  afcribe  the  extraordinary  occurrences  of  nature, 
fuch  as  earthquakes,  thunder,  or  hurric  ncs,  to  the 
interpofition  of  unfeen  beings^ ;  the  troubles  and  dif* 
alters  alfo  that  are  annexed  to  a  favage  life,  the  ap* 
prehenfions  attendant  on  a  precarious  fubfiftence,  and 
thofe  numberlefs  inconveniences  which  man  in  his 
improved  ftatc  lias  fownd  means  to  remedy,  are  fup- 

pofed 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


2ij 


to  ellab.  I  pofcd  to  proceed  from  the  interpofition  of  evil  fpirits  | 
the  favage  confequetitly  lives  in  continual  ppprehen-  ■ 
fions  of  their  unkipd  attacks,  and  to  avert  them  has 
recourfe  to  Cviarms,  to  the  fantaftic  ceremonies  of 
his  prieft,  or  the  powerful  influence  of  his  Manitous. 
Fear  has  of  courfe  l  greater  fhare  in  his  devotions  thaft 
gratitude,  and  he  pays  more  atter  to  deprecating  ' 
the  wrath  of  the  evil,  than  to  f'_t.uring  the  favor  of 
the  good  beings-r 

The  Indians,  however,  entertain  thefc  abfurdities 
in  common  with  thofe  of  every  part  of  the  globe  who 
have  not  been  illuminated  by  that  religion,  which 
only  can  difperfe  the  clouds  of  fuperflition  and  igno- 
rance, and  they  are  as  free  from  error  as  a  people 
can  be  that  has  not  been  favored  with  its  inilrudtivc 
(lo6lrine$. 


M 


CHAPTER     XIV. 


OF   THEIR  DISEASES^  ^c 


te  is  apt 
f  nature, 
's,  to  the 
s  and  dif» 
->  the  ap» 
Jnce,  and 
an  in  his 

are  fup- 

pofed 


X  HE  Indians  In  general  are  healthy,  and  fuS* 
jeft  but  to  few  difeafea,  many  of  thofe  that  afflid^ 
civilized  nations,  and  are  the  immediate  confequences 
of  luxury  or  floth,  being  not  known  among  them  y 
however,  the  bardfliips  ^nd  fatigues  which  they  en- 
dure in  hunting  or  war,  tixe  inclemency  of  the  fea- 
fons  to  which  they  are  continually  expofed,  but  above 
all  the  extremes  of  hunger,  and  that  voracioufnefs 
their  long  excurfions  confequently  fubje£l:  them  to, 
cannot  fail  of  impairing  the  conftitution,  and  bring- 
ing on  difordcrs. 

Pains  and  weaknelTes  in  the  ftomach  and  breaft 
are  foraetimes  the  refult  of  their  long  falling,  and 
cowfumptions  of  the  cxceflive  fatigue  and  violent  ex- 

crcifes 


4  -ll 


itl 


"4 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


ercifes  they  ciipofc  thcmfelvci  to  from  their  Infancy, 
before  they  have  fufficient  ftrengtK  to  fupport  them. 
But  the  diforder  to  which  they  are  moft  fubjefl,  is 
the  pletlrify  j  for  the  removal  of  which,  they  apply 
their  grand  remedy  and  prefcrvation  againft  tne  gea- 
erality  of  their  ^mplaints,  fweating. 

The  manner  in  which  they  condruft  their  ftoves 
for  this  purpofc  is  as  follows  :  They  fix  feveral  fmall 
poles  in  the  ground,  the  tops  of  which  they  twift  to- 
gether, fo  as  to  form  a  rotunda  :  this  frame  they  co- 
ver with  (kins  or  blankets  j  and  they  lay  them  on 
with  fo  much  nicety,  that  the  air  is  kept  from  enter- 
ing through  any  crevice ;  a  fmall  fpace  being  only 
left,  jufl:  fufficient  to  creep  in  at,  which  is  immedi- 
ately after  clofed.  In  the  middle  of  this  confined 
building  tJiey  place  red  hot  ftones,  on  which  they 
pour  water  till  a  fteani  arifcs  that  produces  a  great 
degree  of  heater        -  . 

This  caufes  an  inftantaneous  perfpiratlon,  which 
they  increafe  as  they  pleafe.  Having  continued  in  it 
for  fome  time,  they  immediately  haften  to  the  neareft 
ftream,  and  plunge  into  the  water ;  and,  after  bathing 
therein  for  about  half  a  minute,  they  put  on  their 
clothes,  fit  down  and  fmoak  with  great  compoiure, 
thoroughly  perfuaded  that  the  remedy  will  prove  effi- 
cacious. They  often  make  wfe  of  this  fudoriferous 
method  to  refrefli  themfelves,  or  to  prepare  their 
minds  for  the  management  of  any  bufinefs  that  re- 
quires uncommon  deliberation  and  i'agacity. 

They  arc  likewife  afilified  with  the  dropfy  and  pa* 
ralytic  complaints,  which,  however,  are  but  very  fel- 
doni  known  among  them.  As  a  remedy  for  thefe 
18  well  as  for  fevers  they  make  ufe  of  lotions  and  de- 
cod^ions,  compofed  of  herbs,  which  the  phyficians 
know  perfc<Slly  well  how  to  compound  and  apply, 
Bu^  they  never  truft  to  medicines  alone  5  they  always 
have  recovirfe  likewife  to  foin«  fuperftitious  ceremo^i 

nies^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVfELS. 


"5 


flics,  withcut  which  their  patients  would  not  think 
the  phyfical  preparations  fufficiently  powerful. 

With  equal  judgement  they  make  ufe  of  fimples 
for  the  cure  of  wounds,  fraftures,  or  bruifed ;  and 
arc  able  to  extraft  by  thefe,  without  incifion,  fplin- 
ters,  iron,  or  any  other  fort  of  matter  by  which  the 
wound  is^:iufed.  In  cures  of  this  kind  they  are  ex- 
tremely dextrous,  and  complete  them  in  much  Icfs 
lime  than  might  be  expelled  from  their  mode  of  pro- 
ceeding. 

With  the  fkin  of  a  fnake,  which  thofe  reptiles  an- 
rually  flied,  they  will  alfo  extraft  fplinters.  It  is  a- 
mazing  to  fee  the  fudden^efficacy  of  this  application, 
not  wit  lift  and  ing  there  does  not  appear  to  be  the  leaft 
ttioifture  remaining  in  it. 

It  has  long  been  a  fubjeil  of  difpute,  on  what  con- 
tinent the  venereal  difeafe  firft  received  its  deftruc- 
tive  power.  This  dreadful  malady  is  fuppofed  to 
liave  originated  in  Am«ricji,  but  the  literary  conteft 
ftill  remains  undecided  •,  to  give  feme  elucidation  to 
it  I  Ihall  temark,  that  as  I  could  not  difcover  the 
leaft  traces  amot»g  the  Natidoweflies,  with  whom  I" 
fefidcd  fo  long,  and  was  alfo  informed  that  it  was  yet 
unknown  among  th«  more  wefttrn  nations,!  think  T 
way  venture  to  pronounw  that  it  had  not'  jt4  origih' 
in  North-America*  ThcTe  nations  that  have  any 
Communication  with  the  Europeans,  or  the  fouthern 
tribes^  are  greatly  affiled  with  it ;  but  they  have  all 
of  them  acquired  a  knowledge  of  fuch  certain  and  ex- 
peditious remedies,  that  the  communication  is  not  at- 
tended with  any  dangerous  confequences. 

Soon  after  1  fet  out  on  my  travels,  one  of  the  tra- 
ders whom  I  accompanied,  complained  of  a  violent 
gonorrhcea,  with  all  its  alarming  fymptoms  :  this  in- 
creafed  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  by  the  time  we  bad 
reached  the  town  of  the  WinnebagoeSj  he  was  unable 
to  travel.  Having  made  his  complaint  known  to  one 
of  the  chiefs  of  that  tribe,  he  told  him  not  to  be  unfea- 


••]| 


V 


m:i 


ai6 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


fy,  for  he  would  engage  that  by  the  following  his  a(i- 
vice,  he  fliould  be  able  in  a  few  days  to  puifuc  his 
journey,  and  in  a  little  longer  time  be  entirely  free 
from  his  diforder. 

The  chief  had  no  fooner  faid  this  than  he  prepared 
for  him  a  deco£tion  of  the  bark  of  the  roots  of  the 
prickly  aili,  a  tree  fcarcely  known  in  England,  but 
which  grows  in  great  plenty  throughout  North-Amer- 
ica }  by  the  ufe  of  which,  in  a  few  days  he  was  great* 
ly  recovered,  and  having  received  directions  how  to 
prepare  it,  in  a  fortnight  after  his  departure  from  thii 
place,  perceived  that  he  was  radically  cured. 

If  from  exceffive  exercifc,  or  the  extremes  of  heat 
or  cold,  they  are  effeded  with  pains  in  their  limbs  or 
joints,  they  fcarify  the  parts  aft'eClcd.  Thofe  nationi 
who  have  no  commerce  with  Europeans  do  this  v  ith 
a  (harp  flint ;  and  it  is  furprifing  to  fee,  to  how  a  fine 
a  point  they  hi\ve  the  dexterity  to  bring  them  *,  a  lan- 
cet can  fcarcely  exceed  in  (harpnefs  the  inflrumenti 
they  make  of  this  onmalleable  fubflance. 

They  never  can  be  convinced  a  perfon  is  ill,  whilf^ 
he  has  an  appetite  ;  but  when  he  rejedis  all  kind  of 
nourifhment,  they  confider  the  difeafe  as  dangerous, 
and  pay  great  attention  to  it  *,  and  during  the  continu- 
ance  of  the  diforder,  the  phyfician  refufes  his  patient 
no  fort  of  food  that  he  is  deflrous  of. 

Their  do«Si;ors  are  not  only  fuppofed  to  be  {killed  in 
the  phyfical  treatment  of  difeafes  •,  but  the  common 
people  believe  that  by  thctceremony  of  the  Chlchicouc 
ufually  made  ufe  of,  as  before  defcribed,  they  are  able 
to  gain  intelligence  from  the  fpirits,  of  the  caufe  of 
the  complaints  with  which  they  are  affllfted,  and  are 
thereby  the  better  enabled  to  find  remedies  for  them. 
They  difcover  fomething  fupernatural  in  all  their 
difeafes,  and  the  phyfic  adminiflered  mufl  invariably 
be  aided  by  thefe  iiiperflitions. 

Sometimes  a  fick  perfon  fancies  that  his  diforder  a- 
Xik%  from  witchcraft i  in  this  csife  the  phyfician  oi 

juggler 


ITl 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


"7 


Juggler  is  confulted,  vho,  after  the  ufin!  prcp?,rAtio!ij, 
gives  liis  opinion  on  the  flatc  of  the  iiircile,  and  frc- 
qutiiuly  finds  fome  means  for  lii«  cure.  But  not- 
withftandiiig  tlie  IndiiMi  phyficians  always  annex  tliefc 
fuperditious  ceronion-js  to  their  prefcriptions,  it  is 
very  certain,  as  I  iiave  aheady  obfcrved,  that  they  ex- 
ercife  their  art  by  principles  which  arc  founded  on 
the  knowledge  of  fimples,  and  on  the  experience, 
which  they  acqiurc  by  aw  indefatigable  attention  to 
their  operations. 

The  following  ftorv  which  I  received  from  aperfon 
of  undoubted  credit,  proves  that  the  Indians  are  not  " 
only  able  to  reafon  with  great  acuteneCs  on  the  caufss 
and  fymptomf  of  many  of  the  diforders  which  areat- 
tendant  on  human  nature,  but  to  apply  with  equal 
judgment  proper  remedies. 

In  Penobfcot,afettlement  in  the  Province  of  Maine, 
in  the  north-eaft  parts  of  New-England,  the  wife  of 
a  foldicr  was  taken  in  labc  ur,  and  notwithflanding  ev- 
ery neeeflary  afliftance  was  given  her,  could  not  be 
delivered.  In  this  fituation  flie  remained  for  two  or 
three  days,  the  perfons  around  her  cxpeftlng  that  the 
next  pang  would  put  an  end  to  her  exiftence. 

An  Indian  woman,  who  accidentally  pafTed  by, 
heard  the  groans  of  the  unhappy  fufFercr,  and  enquir- 
ed from  whence  they  proceeded.  Being  made  acquaint- 
ed with  the  dcfperatecircumftance  attending  the  cafe, 
(lie  told  the  informant,  that  if  fhe  might  be  [  crmittcd 
to  fee  the  perfon,  lli€  did  not  doubt  but  that  ftic  fliould 
be  of  great  fervice  to  her. 

The  furgeon  that  had  attended,  and  the  midwife 
who  was  then  prefent,  having  given  up  every  hope  of 
preferving  their  patient,  the  Indian  woman  was  allov?- 
cd  to  make  ufe  of  any  methods  iTie  thought  proper. 
She  accordingly  took  a  handkerchief,  and  bound  it 
light  over  the  nofe  amd  mouth  of  the  woman  ;  this 
immediately  brought  on  a  fuffocation  ;  and  from  the 
fti'uggles  that  consequently  enfued,  fhe  was  in  a  few 

feconds 


;*Hi('' ;; 


Iv 


I'ftr!'' 


22$ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


feconds  delivered.  The  moment  this  Tvas  atchieved 
and  time  enough  to  prevent  any  fatal  effeft,  the 
handkerchief  was  taken  off.  The  long-fufFering  pa- 
tient thus  happily  relieved  from  her  pains,  foon  after 
perfe^y  recovered,  to  the  aftoi^jfhment  of  all  thofe 
who  had  been  witnefs  to  her  defperatc  (ituation. 

The  reafon  given  by  the  Indian  for  this  hazardous 
method  of  proceeding  was,  that  dcfperate  diforders 
require  defperate  remedies  ;  that  as  (he  obferved  the 
exertions  of  nature  were  not  fufficiently  forcible  to  ef- 
fect the  defired  cor.fequence,  ihe  thought  *t  neceflary 
to  augment  their  force,  which  could  only  be  done  by 
ifomc  mode  that  was  violent  'i  the  extreme. 


iM^ 


Ani 


1     J 


fe'l 


■lA]  -fl 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R    XV. 

.CJP  THE    MANNER    /JV  which    TIi£r    TJi£dT 


A 


-£  Jk-N  Indian  meets  death  when  it  approaches 
him  in  his  hut,  with  the  fame  refolution  he  has  often 
faced  him  in  the  field.  His  indifference  relative  to  this 
important  article,  which  is  the  fource  of  fo  many  ap- 
prehenfions  to  almofl:  every  other  nation,  is  truly  ad- 
mirable. When  his  fate  is  pronounced  by  the  phyfi- 
cian,  apd  it  remains  ao  longer  uncertain,  he  ha- 
rangues diofe  about  him  with  the  greateft  compofurc. 
If  he  is  a  chief  and  has  a  family,  he  makes  a  kind  of 
funeral  oration,  which  he  concludes  by  giving  to  his 
children  fuch  advice  for  the  regulation  of  their  con- 
duft  as  he  thinks  necelTary.  He  then  takes  leave  of 
his  friends,  and  iflues  out  orders  for  the  preparation 
of  a  feaft,  which  is  defigned  to  regale  thofc  of  hi» 
tribe  that  come  to  pronoutice  his  eulogium. 

After 


^*.-x 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


£29 


After  the  breath  is  departed,  the  body  U  drefled  m 
(he  iame  attire  it  ufually  wore  whilft  living,  his  face 
IS  p'lntcdj  and  he  feated  in  an  ere£t  pofture  on  a  mat 
or  fkin,  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  hut,  with  hii 
weapons  by  his  fide.  His  relations  being  feated 
round,  each  harrangues  in  tiirn  the  deceafed  ;  and  i£ 
he  hasbecn  a  great  warrior,  recounts  his  heroic  ac- 
tions ne;\rly  to  the  following  purport,  which  in  the 
Indian  language  is  extremely  poetical  and  pleafing  : 
.  «  You  ftill  fit  among  us,  Brother,  your  perfon  re- 
tains its  ufual  refemblance  and  contiimes  limilar  t» 
ours,  without  any  vifible  dt  ficiency,  except  that  it  has 
loft  the  power  of  a£lion.  But  whither  is  that  bicath 
flown,  which  a  few  hours  ago  fent  up  fmoke  to  the 
Great  Spirit  ?*  Why  are  thofe  lips  filent,  that  lately- 
delivered  to  us  exprefllve  and  pleafing  language  ?  why- 
are  thofe  feet  motionlefs,  that  a  fhort  time  ago  were 
fleeter  than  the  dear  on  yonder  mountains  ?  why  ufe- 
lefs  hang  thofe  arms  that  could  climb  the  taleft  tree, 
or  draw  the  toughed  bow  ?  Alas  !  every  part  of  that 
frame  which  we  lately  beheld  with  admiration  jwid 
wonder,  is  now  become  as  inanimate  as  is  was  three 
hundred  winters  ago.  We  will  not,  however,  bemoan 
thee  as  if  thou  waft  forever  loft  to  us,  or  that  thy  name 
would  be  buried  in  oblivion ;  thy  foul  yet  lives  in  the 
great  Country  of  Spirits,  with  thofe  of  thy  nation  that 
are  gone  before  thee  ;  and  though  we  are  left  behind 
to  prepetuatc  thy  fame,  we  fhall  one  day  join  thee. 
Actuated  by  the  refpe£l  we  bore  thee  whilft  livin^i», 
we  now  come  to  tender  to  thee  the  laft  a<^l  of  kind- 
ncfs  it  is  in  our  power  to  beftow  :  that  thy  body  might 
not  lie  ntgle£led  on  the  plain,  and  become  a  pr.iy  to 
the  bcLxds  of  the  field,  or  the  fowls  of  air,  we  wiit 
tike  care  to  lay  it  with  thofe  of  thy  predecciTors  who 
2re  gone  before  thee  ;  hoping  at  the  fame  time,  that 
thy  fpirit  will  feed  with  their  fpirits,  and  hi  ready 
to  receive  ours,  whca  we  alfo  Ihall  arrive  at  the  great 
Country  of  Souls." 

U  111 


-d 


'I 


"*■■■, 


■lyj 


CARVER':.  TRAVELS. 


In  fliorl  fpecchs  fomcwhat  Gmilav  to  this  does  eve, 
ly  chief  fpeakthepraifes  of  his  departeil  friend.  When 
they  have  fo  done, if  they  happen  to  be  a  great  diftnncc 
from  the  place  of  interment,  appropriated  to  their  tribe 
and  the  perfon.  dies  during  the  winter  feafon,  they 
wrap  the  body  in  flcins,  and  lay  it  on  a  high  ftagc 
built  for  this  purpofe,  or  on  the  branchs  of  a  large 
tree,  till  the  fpring  arrives.  They  then,  after  the 
manner  defcribed  in  ray  Jor  nal,  carry  it,  together 
•with  all  thofe  belonging  to  f  le  f?.ras  nation,  to  the  ge- 
neral burial-phce,  where  it  !s  intercd  with  fome  oth- 
er ceremonies  that  I  could  not  difcover. 

When  the  Naudoweffies  brought  their  dead  for  in- 
terment to  the  great  cave,  I  attempted  to  get  an  in- 
fight  into  the  remaining  burial  rites  ;  t»ut  whether  it 
was  on  acconut  of  the  ftench  which  arofe  from  fo 
many  bodies,  the  weather  being  then  hot,  or  whether 
they  chofe  to  keep  this  part  of  their  cuftoms  fecret 
from  me,  I  could  not  difcover ;  I  found,  however, 
that  they  confidcred  my  curiufity  as  iU  timed,  and 
therefore  I  withdrew. 

After  the  intermcat,  the  band  to  which  the  perfon 
belongs,  take  care  to  fix  near  the  plac^  fuch  hierogly- 
phics as  ihall  fhew  to  future  ages  his  merit  and  ac- 
complifhments.  If  any  of  thefe  people  die  in  the 
fummer,  at  a  diftance  from  the  burying-ground,  and 
they  find  it  impoflible  to  remove  the  body  before  it 
putrefies,  they  burn  the  flefh  from  the  bones,  prefcrv- 
ing  the  latter,  bury  them  in  the  manner  defcribed. 

As  the  Indians  believe  that  the  fouls  of  the  deceaf- 
cd  employ  themfelves  in  the  fame  manner  in  the 
country  of  fpirits,  as  they  did  on  earth,  that  they  ac- 
quire their  food  by  hunting,  and  have  there,  alfo,  ene- 
mies to  contend  with,  they  take  care  that  they  do  not 
enter  thofe  regions  dcfcncelefs  and  unprovided  ;  they 
confequently  bury  with  them  their  bows,  their  arrows, 
and  all  the  other  weapons  ufed  either  in  hunting  or 
war.     As  they  doubt  not  but  they  will  likewife   have 

occafion 


Tcaf( 
hav^ 

den 

S 
vh 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


231 


occafion  both  for  the  neccfiliries  of  life,  and  thofc 
tilings  they  eftecm  as  ornairiCnts,  they  ufually  dtpo- 
lit  in  their  tombs  fuch  Ikins  or  llufls  as  they  common- 
ly made  their  garments  of,  domeftic  utenfilsj  and 
paint  for  ornamenting  their  perfons.  ■  ■ 

The  near  relations  of  the  deceafcd  lament  his 
Jofs  with  an  appearance  of  great  forrow  and  anguifli  5 
they  weep  and  howl,  and  make  ufe  ot  many  contor- 
tions, as  they  fit  in  the  hut  or  tent  around  the  body, 
vi'hen  the  iiuvivals  between  the  praifes  of  the  chiefs 
will  permit. 

One  formality  in  mourning  for  the  dead  among  the 
Naudoweflies  is  very  different  from  any  mode  I  ob- 
ferved  in  the  other  nations  through  which  I  pafTed. 
The  men,  to  ihew  how  great  their  forrow  is,  pierce 
the  flefli  of  their  arms,  above  the  elbows,  with  arrows  ; 
the  fears  of  which  I  could  perceive  on  tliofc  of  every 
rank,  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree ;  and  the  women  cut 
and  galli  their  legs  with  fharp  broken  flints,  till  the 
blood  flows  very  plentifully. 

Whilft  I  remained  among  them,  a  couple  whofe 
tent  was  adjacent  to  mine,  loft  a  fen  of  about  four 
years  of  age.  The  parents  were  fo  much  aflbdted  at 
the  death  of  their  favorite  child,  that  they  perilled  the 
ttfualteftimonies  of  grief  with  fuch  uncommon  ri- 
gour, as  through  the  weight  of  forrow  and  lofs  of 
blood,  to  occafion  the  death  of  the  father.  The  wo- 
man, who  had  heretofore  been  inconfolable,  no  foot- 
er faw  her  hufband  expire,  than  flie  dried  up  her  tears^ 
and  appeared  cheerful  and  refigned. 

As  I  knew  not  how  to  account  for  fc  extraordina- 
ry a  tranlition,  I  took  an  opportunity  to  aflc  her  the 
reafon  of  it :  telling  her  at  the  fame  time,  thatlfliould 
have  imagined  the  lofs  of  her  hufljand  would  rather 
have  occafioned  an  increafe  of  gricf>  than  fuch  a  fud^ 
itr\  diminution  of  it. 

She  informed  me,  that  as  the  child  was  fo  young 
when  it  died,  and  unable  to  fupport  itfclf  in  the  coun- 
try 


*  •, 


^W% 


a32 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


try  of  fpirits,  both  (he  and  her  hulband  had  been  ap- 
prehenlive  that  its  fituation  would  be  far  from  happy  • 
but  no  fooner  did  fhe  behold  its  father  depart  for  the 
fame  place,  who  not  only  loved  the  child  with  ihe 
tendereft  affedlion,  but  was  a  good  hunter,  and  would 
be  able  to  provide  plentifully  for  its  fupport,  th;ui 
ihe  ccafed  to  mourn.  She  added,  that  flie  nvw  faw 
no  reafon  to  continue  her  tears,  as  the  diiid  on 
whom  fhe  doted,  was  happy  under  the  care  and  pro- 
tci^ion  of  a  fond  father,  and  the  had  only  one  wlfh 
that  remained  ungratified,  which  was  tixat  of  being 
hcrfelf  with  them. 

Expreflions  fo  replete  with  unaffefted  tenderncfs, 
and  fcrtiments  that  would  have  done  honor  to  a  Ro- 
man matron,  made  an  imprcffion  on  my  mind  great- 
ly in  favor  of  the  people  to  v/hom  fhe  belonged,  and 
tended  not  a  little  to  counteraft  the  prejudices  I  had 
hitherto  entertained,  in  common  with  every  othe.r 
traveller,  of  Indian  inftnfibility  and  want  of  parental 
tenderners. 

Her  fubfequcnt  condu£i  confirmed  the  favorable 
opinion  I  had  juft  imbibed  ;  and  convinced  me,  that, 
iiotwithfLanding  tills  apparent  fufpcnffion  of  her  grief, 
fome  particles  of  that  relu£bance,  to  be  feparated  from 
a  beloved  relation,  which  is  implanted  either  by  na- 
ture or  cuflom  in  every  human  heart,  flill  lurked  in 
hers.  I  obferved  that  fhe  went  almofl  every  evening 
to  the  foot  of  the  tree,  on  a  branch  of  which  the  bo- 
dies of  her  hufband  and  child  were  laid,  and  after  cut- 
ting off  a  lock  of  her  hair,  and  throwing  it  on  the 
ground,  in  a  plaintive  melancholy  fong  bemoaned  its 
fate.  A  recapitulation  of  the  adions  he  might  have 
performed,  had  his  life  been  fpared,  appeared  to  be 
he*-  favorite  theme  ;  and  whilft  flie  foretold  the  fame 
that  would  liave  attended  an  imitation  of  his  father's 
virtues,  her  greif  feemed  to  be  fufpended  :-— 

<*If  thou  hadfl  continued  with  us,  my  dear 
Son/'  would  (he  cry,  «  how  well  would  the  bow  have 

become 


[«1  been  ap. 

[art  for  the 
id  with  the 
and  Would 
[port,  th;m 
|e  now  faw 
child  on 
re  and  pro- 
|y  one  wifli 
It  of  being 

tenderncfs, 
or  to  a  Ro* 
nind  great- 
nnged,  and 
dices  I  had 
;very  other 
of  parental 

e  favorable 
d  me,  that, 
>f  her  grief, 
arated  from 
ther  by  na- 
il lurked  in 
:ry  evening 
ich  the  bo- 
d  after  ciit- 
l  it  on  the 
Tioaned  its 
night  have 
:ared  to  be 
d  the  fame 
[lis  father'^ 

my  dear 
z  bow  have 
become 


CARVE..     IP  WELS. 


23^ 


become  thy  hand,  and  how  fatal  would  thy  arrows 
have  proved  to  the  enemies  of  our  bands.  Thou 
wouldft  often  have  drank  their  blood,  and  eaten  their 
flefli,  and  numerous  flaves  would  have  rewarded  thy 
toils.  With  a  nervous  arm  wouldft  thou  have  feized 
the  wounded  bufFaloe,  or  have  combated  the  fury  of 
the  enraged  bear.  Thou  wouldft  have  overtaken  the 
flying  elk,  and  have  kept  pace  on  the  mountain's 
brow  with  the  fleeteft  deer.  "What  feats  mighteft: 
thou  not  have  performed,  had  ft  thou  ftaid  among  us 
till  age  had  given  thee  ftrength,  and  thy  father  had 
mftrudled  thee  in  every  Indian  accompliihment !"  In 
terms  like  thefe  did  this  untutored  favage  bewail  the 
lo{s  of  her  fon,  and  frequently  would  ftie  pafs  the 
greateft  part  of  the  night  in  the  affectionate  em- 
ploy- 
The  Indians  in  general  are  very  ftri£l  in  the  obfer- 

vance  of  their  laws  relative  to  mourning  for  their 
dead.  In  fomc  nations  they  cut  off  their  hair,  blacken 
their  faces,  and  fit  in  an  ere£l:  pofture,  with  their 
heads,  clofely  covered,  and  depriving  thwpfelvcs  of 
every  pleafure.  This  feverity  is  continueOTor  feveral 
months,  and  with  fome  relaxations  the  appearance  is 
fometimes  kept  up  for  feveral  years.  I  was  told  that 
Tfhen  the  Naudoweffies  recollected  any  incidents  of 
the  lives  of  their  deceafed  relations,  even  after  an  in- 
terval of  ten  years,  they  would  howl  fo  as  to  be  heard 
at  a  great  diftance.  They  would  fometimes  continue 
this  proof  of  refpeCt  and  affection  for  feveral  hours ; 
and  if  it  happened  that  the  thought  occured,  and  the 
noife  was  begun  towards  the  evening,  thofe  of  their 
tribe  who  are  at  hand  ^yould  join  with  them. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Va 


<}3*  CARVER'i  TRAVELS^ 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

A  CONCISE  CHARACTER  OF  rii^  INDIANS. 

X  HE  cliarafter  of  the  Indians,  like  that  of 
other  uncivilized  nations,  is  compofed  of  a  mixture  oi' 
ferocity  and  gentlenefs.  They  are  at  once  guided  by 
paflions  and  appetites,  which  they  hold  in  common 
with  the  fierced  bcafts  that  inhabit  their  woods,  and 
are  pofTefled  of  virtues  which  do  honor  to  human  na^ 
ture. 

In  the  following  eftimate  I  fliall  endeavour  to  for- 
get on  the  one  hand  the  prejudices  of  Europeans,  who 
ufually  annex  to  the  word  Indian,  epithets  that  arc 
difgraceful  to  human  nature,  and  who  view  them  in 
no  other  light  than  as  favagea  and  cannibals,  whilft 
with  equal  care  I  avoid  my  partiality  tcJwards  them/.<G 
fome  mufl  naturally  arife  from  the  favourable  recep- 
tion I  met  with  during  my  ftay  among  them. 

At  the  fame  time  I  (hall  confine  my  remarks  to 
the  nations  inhabiting  only  the  weftern  regions,  fuch 
as  the  Naudoweflies,  the  Ottagaumies,  the  Chipe- 
ways,  the  Winnebagoes,  and  the  Saukies ;  for  as 
throughout  that  diverfity  of  climates,  the  extenfive 
continent  of  America  is  compofed  of,  there  are  peo- 
ple of  different  difpofitions  and  various  characters, 
it  wduld  be  incompatible  with  my  prefent  undertak- 
ing to  treat  of  all  thcfcj  and  to  give  a  general  view 
of  them  as  a  conjun£livc  body. 

That  the  Indians  are  of  a  cruel,  revengeful,  inex- 
orable difpofitioxi,  that  they  will  watch  whole  days 
unmindful  of  the  calls  of  nature,  and  make  their  w;\y 
through  pathlefs,  and  almoft  unj^oundcd  woods,  ilib- 
fifling  only  on  the  fcanty  produce  of  them,  to  puriuc 
Itnd  revenge  themfslves  of  an  enemy  5  that  th'7  hear 

Hiunoved 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


^f 


unmoved  the  piercing  cries  of  fuch  as  unhappily  fall 
into  their  hands,  and  receive  a  diabolical  plcafurc 
from  the  tortures  they  infli^l  on  their  prifoners,  I 
leadily  grant ;  but  let  us  look  on  the  rcverfe  of  this; 
terrifying  pidlure,  and  v^e  fliall  find  them  temperate 
both  in  their  d'et  and  potations  (it  muft  be  remem- 
bered that  I  fj^ak  of  thofe  tribes  who  have  little 
communication  -with.  Europeans)  that  they  vvithftand,. 
with  unexampled  patience,  the  attacks  of  hunger,  or 
the  inclemency  of  the  feafons,  and  efteem  the  grati- 
fication of  their  appetites  but  as  a  fecondary  confi- 
deration. 

"We  fliall  likewife  fee  them  fecial  and  humane  to- 
tliofe  whom  they  confider  as  their  friends,  and  evea* 
to  their  adopted  enemies  j  and  ready  to  partake  with 
them  of  the  laft  morfel,  or  to  rilk  their  lives  in  their 
defence. 

In  contradlQiion  to  the  report  of  many  other  tra- 
vellers, allof  which  have  been  tinctured  with  preju- 
dice, I  can  aficrt,  that  notwithflanding  the  apparent 
indifference  with  which  an  Indian  meets  his  wife  and 
children  after  a  long  abfence,  an  indifference  proceed- 
ing rather  from  cuftom  than  infenfibility,  he  is  not 
unmindful  of  the  claims  either  of  conn  ibial  or  paren- 
tal tendernefii  *,  the  little  flory  I  have  introduced  iu 
'the  preceding  chapter,  of  the  Naudowefiie  woman 
lamenting  her  child,  and  the  immature  death  of  the 
father,  will  elucidate  this  point,  and  enforce  the  af- 
fertion  much  better  than  tlie  mofl  lludied  arguments 
I  can  make  ufe  of. 

Accuflomed  from  their  youth  to  innumerable  hard- 
fhips,  they  fbon  become  fuperior  to  a  fenfe  of  dan- 
ger, or  the  dread  of  death  •,  and  their  fortitude,  im- 
planted by  nature,  and  nurtured  by  example,  by  pre- 
cept and  accident,  never  experiences^  a  moment'fe 
allay. 

Though  flothful  and  inacStive  whilfl:  their  flores 
if  proviUoa  remains  unexhaufted,  ami  their  foes  are 

at 


W 


■i'f  <''\ 


I 


i'  ti 


it  .?! 


2si 


CARVER'*  TRAVELS. 


■'IJIt,  I'i: 


Mi  ^ 


at  a  dlllancc,  they  arc  indefatigable  and  pcrfcvcring 
in  purfuit  of  their  game^  or  in  circumventing  their 
enemies. 

If  they  arc  artful  and  defigning,  and  ready  to  take 
every  advantage,  if  they  an  cool  and  deliberate  in 
their  councils,  and  cautious  in  the  extreme  either  of 
difcovcring  their  fentiments,  or  of  revealing  a  fecret, 
they  mic;ht  at  the  fame  time  boaft  of  poffeffing  quali- 
fications of  a  more  animated  nature,  of  the  fagacity 
of  a  hound,  the  penetrating  fight  of  a  lynx,  the  cun- 
ning of  the  fox,  the  agility  of  a  bounding  roe,  and  the 
unconquerable  fiercenefs  of  the  tiger. 

In  their  public  characters,  as  forming  part  of  a 
community,  they  poflefs  an  attachment  for  that  band 
to  which  they  belong,  unknown  to  the  inhabitants  of 
any  other  country.  They  combine,  as  if  they  were 
a^uated  only  by  one  foul,  againft  the  enemies  of  their 
nation,  and  banifh  from  tlieir  minds  every  confider- 
ation  oppofed  to  this. 

They  confuk  without  unneceflary  oppofition,  or 
"withc»ut  giving  way  to  the  excitements  of  envy  or 
ambition,  on  the  meafurcs  neceflary  to  be  purfued 
for  the  deftruftion  of  thofe  who  have  drawn  on  thcm- 
felvcs  thiir  difpleafure.  No  felfiih  views  ever  inllu- 
ence  their  advice,  or  obftrudt  their  tonfultations. 
Nor  is  it  in  the  power  of  bribes  or  threats  to  diminifli 
the  love  they  bear  their  country. 

The  honor  of  their  tribe,  and  the  welfare  of  their 
nation,  is  the  firfl  and  moil  predominant  emotion  of 
their  hearts ;  and  from  hence  proceed  in  a  great 
meafure  all  their  virtues  and  their  vices.  Actuated 
by  this,  they  brave  every  danger,  endure  the  molt 
riiijuifite  torments,  and  expire  triumphing  in  their  for- 
titude, not  as  a  peifonal  qualification,  but  as  a  nation- 
al chara(Steri(lic. 

From  thence  alfo  flow  that  infatiable  revenge  to- 
wards thofe  with  whom  they  are  at  war,  and  all  the 
•onfecjuent  horrors  that  diigracc  tlieir  name.    Their 

.  uncultivated 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


257 


pcrfcvering 
-nting  their 

-a<^y  to  take 
-liberate  in 
>e  either  of 
ng  a  fecret, 
ffing  quali- 
he  fagacity 
I  the  cun- 
oe,  and  the 

part  of  a 
r  that  band 
labitants  of 
tliey  were 
lies  of  their 
Y  confider- 

pofition,  or 
of  envy  or 
be  purf'ued 
n  on  thcm- 
ever  inllu- 
tfultations. 
o  diminidi 

re  of  their 
motion  of 
n  a  great 
A(Stuatcd 
the  moit 
their  for- 
a  nation*- 

vtngc  to- 
ld all  the 
.  Their 
tivatcd 


uncultivated  mind  being  incapable  of  juvlging  of  the 
propriety  of  an  adiion,  in  oppolition  to  their  paflions, 
which  are  totally  infenfiblc  to  the  controls  of  reafon 
or  humanity,  they  know  not  how  to  keep  their  fury 
within  any  bounds,  and  tonfctjuently  that  courage 
and  relolution,  which  would  otherwifc  do  them  hon- 
or, degenerates  into  a  lavage  ferocity. 

But  this  fliort  diflertaticn  muft  fuillce  :  the  Htt.hk 
of  my  work  will  not  permit  me  to  treat  the  fubjedl 
niore  copioufly,  or  to  purfue  it  with  a  logical  regu- 
larity. The  obfervatiofts  already  made  by  my  rea- 
ders on  the  preceding  pages,  will,  I  truft,  render 
it  unneceiTary  ;  as  by  them  they  will  be  enabled  to 
form  a  tolerable  juft  idea  of  the  people  I  have  been 
defcribing.  Experience  teaches,  that  anecdotes,  and 
relations  of  particular  events,  however  trifling  they 
might  appear,  enable  us  to  form  a  truer  judgment  of 
the  manners  and  cuftoms  of  a  people,  and  are  much 
more  declaratory  of  their  real  Hate,  than  the  moflb 
^udied  and  elaborate  difquifitioii,  without  thefe  aids^ 


CHAPTER    XVII. 
§f  rHEiR  LAl^GUAGE,  HIEROGLTPHICS.^f: 

X.  HE  principal  languages  of  the  natives  of 
North  America  may  be  divided  into  four  clafles,  as 
they  confift  of  fuch  as  are  made  ufe  of  by  the  nations  of 
the  Iroquois  towards  the  eallern  parts  of  it,  the  Chipe- 
ways  or  Algonkins  to  the  north-weft,  the  Naudowef- 
fiesto  the  well,  and  the  Cherokees,  Chickafaws,  &c. 
to  the  fouth.  One  or  other  of  thefe  four  are  ufed  by 
all  the  Indians  who  inhabit  the  parts  that  lie  betwectt 
tl^e  coaft  of  Labradore  north;  the  Floridas  fouth,  the. 
.     .  Atlantic 


■ 'I  ^ii 


■'V : 


'111- 


l.^^\ 


:m'\ 


'    i 


St 


i 


A  •.. ^ 


ii^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


i»S 


r^:v■^■^,..■>;•'"i 


Atlantic  Ocean  eaft,  and,  as  far  as  wc  can  judge  from 
the  difccveries  hitJierto  made,  the  Pacific  Ocean  oa 
the  we 'I. 

Bi;c  of  all  thefe,  the  Chipeway  tongue  appears  to 
be  the  molt  prevailing  ;  it  being  held  in  luch  eltcem, 
that  the  chiefs  of  every  tribe,  dwelling  about  the  great 
lakes,  or  to  the  weftwavd  of  thcfe  on  the  banks  of  the 
Milhflippij  with  thofe  as  far  fouth  as  the  Ohio,  and  a$ 
far  north  as  Hudfon's  Tay,  conlifting  of  more  than 
thirty  diftlrcnt  tribe?,  fpcak  this  language  alone  in 
their  councils,  notwiihitandiug  each  has  a  peculiar 
one  of  their  own. 

It  will  probably  in  time  become  univerfal  among 
all  the  Indian  nations,  as  none  of  them  attempt  to 
make  ^excurfions  to  any  great'  diftance,  or  are  confid- 
ered  as  qualified  to  carry  on  any  negociation  with  a 
diilant  band^  unlefs  they  have  acquired  the  Chipeway 
tcngu'?. 

At  prefent,  befides  the  Chipeways,  to  whom  it  is 
natural,  the  Ottawaws,  the  Saukies,  the  Ottagau- 
mies,  the  Killiftinoes,  the  Nipegons,  the  bands  about 
Lake  Le  Pluye,  and  the  remains  of  the  Algonkins,  or 
Gens  de  Terre,  all  converfe  in  it,  with  fomc  little  va- 
riation of  a  dialedl ;  but  whether  it  be  natural  to  thofe 
nations,  or  acquired,  I  was  not  able  to  difcover.  I 
am  however  of  opinion  that  the  barbarous  and  un- 
coutli  dialed  of  the  Winnebagoes,  the  Menomonies, 
and  many  other  tribes,  will  become  in  time  totally  ex- 
tin^y  and  this  be  adopted  in  its  ftead. 

The  Chipeway  tongue  is  not  encumbered  with  any 
unneceflary  tones  or  accents,  neither  are  there  any 
words  in  it  that  are  fuperfluous ;  it  is  alfo  eafy  to 
pronounce,  and  much  more  copious  than  any  other 
Indian  language. 

As  the  Indians  are  unacquainted  with  the  polite 
arts,  or  with  the  fciences,  and  as  they  are  ftrangers  to 
ceremony,  or  compliment,  they  neither  have  nor 
need  an  infinity  of  words  wherewith  to  embellifh 

Ihcir 


P' 


^»^^ 


judge  from 
c  Ocean  on 

appears  to 
uch  eitcLMn, 
)ut  the  great 
janks  of  the 
3hio,  and  a$ 

more  than 
ge  alone  in 

a  peculiar 

erfal  among 
1  attempt  to 
r  are  confid- 
ation  with  a 
le  Chipeway 

whom  it  is 
le  Ottagau- 
bands  about 
ilgonkins,  or 
»mc  little  va- 
ural  to  thofe 
difcover.  I 
•us  and  un- 
lenomonies, 
le  totally  ex- 

cd  with  any 
e  there  any 
alfo  eafy  to 
ri  any  other 

h  the  polite 

ftrangers  to 

r  have  nor 

0  embellifH 

Ihcir 


CARVER'i  TRAVFl.S. 


23t 


their  JircoiiTfe.  Plain  and  unpolifhed  in  the»r  man- 
ners, they  only  make  ufe  of  fuch  as  fcrve  to -denom- 
inate the  neceff.irics  or  conveniences  of  life,  and  to 
exprcfs  their  wants,  which  in  a  (late  of  nature  can  be 
but  few. 

I  have  annexed  hereto  a  fhort  vocabulary  of  the 
Cbipeway  language,  and  another  of  the  Naudowef- 
fies,  but  am  not  able  to  reduce  tliem  to  the  rules  of 
grammar. 

The  latter  is  fpoken  in  a  foft  accent,  Vvithout  any 
guttural  founds,  fo  thnt  it  may  be  learnt  with  facility, 
and  IS  not  diificuit  either  to  he  pronounced  or  writ- 
ten. It  is  nearly  as  copious  and  expreflive  as  the 
Chlpeway  tongue,  and  Is  the  mod  prevailing  language 
of  any  on  the  weftcrn  banks  of  the  Mifiifippi,  being 
in  ufe,  according  to  their  account,  amoiiti  all  the 
nations  that  lie  to  the  north  of  th**.  Mcnoiie,  and  ex- 
tend as  far  weft  as  the  (bores  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

As  the  Indians  are  not  accjuaintcd  with  letters,  it 
is  very  difiicult  to  convey  v/ith  pereifion  the  exaft 
found  of  their  words ;  I  have  however  endeavoured 
to  write  them  as  near  to  the  manner  in  which  they 
arc  cxprefled,  as  fuch  an  uncertain  mode  will  a<i-' 
mit  of. 

Although  the  Indians  cannot  communicate  tlieir 
ideas  by  writing,  yet  they  form  certain  hieroglyphics, 
which,  in  forae  nieafure,  ferve  to  perpetuate  any  ex- 
traordinary tranfadlion,  or  uncommon  event.  'Tlius 
when  they  are  on  their  excurfions,  and  either  intend 
to  proceed,  or  have  been  on  any  remarkable  enter- 
prife,  they  peel  the  bark  fiom  the  trees  which  lie  in 
their  way,  to  give  intcHIgence  to  thofe  parties  that 
happen  to  be  at  a  diftance,  of  the  path  they  oiuft 
purfue  to  overtake  them. 

The  billowing  inftance  will  convey  a  more  perfect 
idea  of  the  methods  they  make  ufe  of  on  this  occa- 
HoHj  than  any  e.^picHions  I  c<m  frame. 

When 


\y'. 


■m 


B19 


CATIVER'6  TRAVELS. 


When  T  left  the  MilTifippi,  nnd  procecf!cdl  up  the 
Chipeway  River,  in  my  way  to  Lake  SHpcrior,  as  re- 
lated in  my  Journal,  my  guide,  v  ho  \vn3  a  chief  of 
the  Cbipcways  tlial  dwell  on  the  Ott.iwaw  Ta'zc,  near 
the  Iieaih  of  the  river  we  hud  jnll  entered,  fearin(r 
thatfome  '^•)arties  of  the  Naudovveincs,  witli  v/honi 
his  nation  are  pcrp::tually  at  war,  miglit  accidentally 
fall  in  with  us,  and  i.etore  they  were  apprifed  of  my 
being  in  company,  do  us  fomc  mifchief,  he  took  the 
Tollov/in;;  ft;epc\  : 

He  peeled  the  bark  from  a  tree,  near  the  entrance 
of  a  rii'^cr,  and  with  wood-coal,  mixed  with  bcav's 
greafc,  their  ufual  fubiUtute  tor  ink,  made  in  an  un- 
coutii,  but  expreflive  manner,  the  figure  of  the  town 
of  the  Ottagaumies.  He  then  formed  to  the  left  a 
nun  drefTed  in  fkins,  by  which  he  intended  to  reprefent 
a  NaudowclFie,  with  a  line  drawn  from  his  mouth  to 
thtjt  of  a  deer,  the  fymbol  of  the  Chipeways.  After 
this  he  depictured  (till  further  to  the  left  a  canoe  2% 
proceeding  up  the  river,  in  which  he  placed  a  man 
fitting  with  a  hat  on  5  thig  figure  was  defigned  rn 
reprefent  an  Englifliman,  or  myfcif,  and  my  Frencli- 
man  was  drawn  with  a  handkcrchef  tied  round  hi^ 
head,  and  rowintj;  the  canoe  i  to  thefe  he  added  fe- 
veral  other  fignificant  emblems,  among  which  the 
Pipe  oil  Peace  appc:u'ed  painted  on  the  prow  of  the 
canoe. 

The  meaning  he  intended  to  convey  to  the  MaudO' 
wcffies,  and  which  I  doubt  not  appeared  perfc£lly 
intelligible  to  ihem,  was,  that  one  of  the  Chipeway 
chiefs  had  received  a  fpcecli  from  feme  Naudowelllc 
chiefs,  at  the  town  of  the  Ott  ijTaumics,  defiring  him 
to  ^ondu£t  the  Engldhman,  who  had  lately  been  a- 
mong  tlicm,  up  the  Chiprwny  river ;  and  that  they 
thereby  re(]uired,  that  the  Ciiip-'way,  notwithfland- 
ing  he  v  is  an  pvov/ed  enemy,  (liouid  not  be  molefl- 
edby  them  on  his  pafl'.i'^e,  as  he  had  the  care  of  a  per- 
ffen  whom  they  elkcuicd  as  one  of  their  nation. 

Some 


^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


241 


Somf  authors  have  pretended  that  the  Indians  have 
armorial  bearings,  vvl»Ich  they  blazon  with  great  ex- 
amine fs,  and  which diltin^uifli  one  nation  from  anoth- 
er; but  I  never  could  obfcrve  any  other  arms  amorj; 
thcni  than  the  Tymbols  already  dcfcribcd. 


iV'l 


:l|" 


'^ 


Afliort  VOCABULARY  of  the  Chipeway  Lan- 
guage. 

V.  B,   Tliis  people  do  not  make  ufc  cither  of  the  confonantj  F,  or  K 


A    BOVE 
Jt\_  Abandon 

Spimtnk 

Packiton 

Admirable 

Pilawah 

Afterwards 

Mlpklach 

All 

Kok'ttwm 

Always 

JCoka/i 

Amifs 

Napitch 

Arrive 

■^akouchtn 

Axe 

Agacwet 

Allies 

Pitigoe 

AlFift 

Maiuincwah 

B 

Ball 

Alenuln 

Bag,  or  tobacco-pouch 

Cafpctnivgan 

Barrel 

Oiventoivgan 

Beat 

Pakiitc 

Bear   a 

Jilaclwah 

Bear,  a  young  one 

Mnkcn 

Beaver 

AmiJi 

Beaver's  fkin 

Aphmn'iqus 

Be,  or  to  be 

Tnpaig 

Beard 

Mifchllon 

Becaufc 

Atiio'nu'h 

Bclieye 

Ti/erimah 

( 


■  H 

t 


11 


W 


Bellf 


242 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


j) 


Belly 

Mifljemotit 

Black 

AInrkaiite 

Blood 

Jiit/koiu 

Body 

•v 

Toe 

Bottle 

Shi/begj 

Brother 

Neconnis 

Br:indy  or  Rurn 

Scuttaivawhah 

Bread 

Pabaujhigan 

Breech 

M'ljcoufab 

Breeches 

Klpok'Uie  Kcufah 

Buck 

WaJJictch 

Q 

Canoe 

Cheman 

Call 

TeJJjenehaw 

Chief,  a 

Okemnw 

Carry 

Pctou     . 

Child,  or  Children 

Bobchjhm 

Coat 

Capoteiv'ian 

Cold,  I  am 

Kekalcb 

Come  oa 

Moppa 

Come  to 

Pvmotcha 

Comrade 

Neechcg 

Concerned 

Tnllem'ilJi 

Corn 

Mehiiin 

Covering,  or ! 

I  Blanket 

IVaiubswion 

Country 

Endiiiula-wkeen 

Courage 

Tagivaiunijjjli 

Cup 

Olawgan 

D 

Dance 

Nemch 

Dart 

Shc/hikiuci 

Die,  to 

Nip 

Dim 

Mtichan 

Dojr 

Alim 

Dead 

Neqxi 

Devil,  or  evil 

Spirit 

Alatcho-ALviUou 

Dog,  a  Uttle 

one 

AUvioH 

Done, 

CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 

t)one,  it  is  done 

Bhiah 

Do 

TcllAton 

Doubtlefs 

Ontclatouhah 

Drefs  the  kettl« 

Pcutnvah 

Drink 

Mimhvcih 

Drunken 

Ouifqu'iba 

Duck 

Chidhip       ' 

E 

f 

Earth 

Auliviti 

Eat 

Oivijfine 

Each 

Vapcgik 

Englifh 

SagatwcJIj 

Enough 

Mimilic 

Equal,  or  ahke 

Tciivbifcctih 

Efteem 

J^anvjctdimciiu 

Eyes 

Wijkinhhie 

F 

Faft 

Ji^aliebic 

Fall 

Pcfihifitt 

Far  off 

JVotJaiu 

Fat 

Pimtuitee 

Friend 

l^icofiTiis 

Father 

loofah 

Few,  or  little 

Muurtgis 

Fatigued 

^auhivijfi 

Field  fovvn 

Kitiegaitmic 

Fire 

Scutta 

Fire,  to  ftrikc 

Scuicde 

Find 

JSJaniomiaivano 

Fifh 

Kidon 

Fork 

ruilfi.iudiuct 

Formerly 

Ptringo 

Fort 

Walaigcfr 

Forward 

t\cpoicitik 

French 

Kidttgccfi 

Freeze,  to 

XllJ-.n 

Freezes  hard 

liijfm  Mogul 

243 


^Bt 

f    V 

,  , 

» 

It     , 

;»(,' 

1 

:   J 

If  '•■ 

^\   • 

* 

;a1». 


m 


Jul! 


I 


i\ii 


^4^                   CARVER* 

.'  TRAVELS. 

Full 

Moujklmt 

Fufec  or  Gun 

Pd^'f'gan 

G 

God,  or  the  Great  Spirit 

Kitchi  AlamtQu 

Go  by  water 

Pimniifcaw 

Girl 

JeckivaJJln 

Give 

M'tllanu 

Glafs,  a  mirror 

Wa'whem$ 

Good 

Caiulatch 

Gonil  for  nothing 

Malatal 

Govern 

Tiharimatu 

General,  or  Comman- 1 

Kitchi  Ohimau^ 

(Icr  in  Chief         3 

Simaugatiijb 

Grapes 

Shoamin 

Great 

Manatou 

Greedy 

SanvfaivhjJJi 

Guts 

OlaivhiJJj 

U 

Hare 

IVaii'Poos 

Heart 

Mtckcioah 

Hate 

Shifigai/riwaiv 

Half 

Naivhal 

Hair,  Iiuman 

'^iffis 

Ha!r  of  beafls 

Peival 

Handfome 

Canoginintie 

Have 

^amlaulaw  • 

ilead 

Oujlecouati 

Heaven 

Spetiiinkakiuin 

Herb 

J^ajtjh 

Here 

Aconda 

Hidd-iTl 

Kemouch 

Home 

Etitaycnt 

Honor 

Jlackaiva/aitf 

Hot     . 

Akejhotta 

How- 

^anvne 

How  many 

7'aiunemilik 

Hunt 

Kcwajfa 

Hut, 


Hut,  or  Houfc 

I 

Indians 

Iron 

Ifland 

Immediately 

Indian  Corn 

Intirely 

Impoftcr 

It  might  be  fo 

K 

Kettle 

King,  or  Chief 

Keep 

Knife 

Knife  that  is  crooked 

Know 

L 

Lake 

Laugh 

Lazy 

Lame 

Leave 

Letter 

Life 

Love 

Long  fincc 

Land  Carriage 

Lofe 

Lie  down 

Little 

M    • 
Meat 
Much 
Man 

March,  to  go 
Marry 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


245 


Jfjjifiawhfih 

Venvawblck 

JMifiis 

Webatch 

Mitfawtnin 

Kimvpitch 

Maivlaivtllfte 

V^awneeiido 

Ackikons 

Okeviaiu 

Gan%ucrimavt 

Mochtiian 

Cootaivgon 

Thuhereinaiu 

Kitchigaivtnifik 

Paivpi 

Kittimi 

Kikckaie 

Pockiton 

Maivfigiwugon 

Nouchmowin 

Sdidie 

ShanvfJna 

Cappatiivgon 

Packildugue 

JVi'ipenunu 

Waubejhem 

IVeas 
Ktbhilaio 
All'tjfumpe 
Pitnrmujfie 


W2 


Medicine 


34^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


tH'^ 


:m;  . 


^i/t-,;.   -^ 


ndife 


Medicine 

Mercl 

Moon 

Alortar  to  pound  in 

>Iillreffi 

N 
Needle 
Near 
Nation 
Never 
Night 
No 

Nofe  • 
Nothing 
Not  yet 
Not  at  all 

Nought,  good  for  no- 
,  thing 

O 

Old 
Otter 

Other 

P     , 
Pipe   • 

Part,  what  part 
Play 

Powder,  gur*  or,  dufl 
Peace,  to  make 
Pray 
Proper 
Prelently 
Peninfula 

O      l^ 

i^uick 

K 


Ikt^^xtX 


Mn/kihic 

Alchochigon 

Dcbicoi 

Potttaivgo?i 

Kape 

Ni'yemoiiftn 

Shaiubcnkin 

Peiuitch 

Ir'tnee 

Cnivikhniv 

Debicct 

Kaiu 

Toch 

Kahego 

Kx^nvmifchi 

Kagutch 

JMalulat 


Nikkik 
Ccuiack 

Poagan 

Taiiiiopec 

Packdgo 

Pingo 

Pccacotiche 

Taw/aimia 

SiJii'ftga 

IV t  bat  lb 

Mifi/ii//iit 

Ki'goich 
IVaivbciiiO 


Rc'l 


CARVER'S 

TRAVELS. 

Kcd 

Mi/coiu 

Refolve 

TibiTifidon 

Relationj 

Taiuivcnui'W 

Refped): 

Taivbawniliit 

Rain 

Kinmicwan 

Robe 

Ockolaiv 

River 

S'ippim 

Run,  to 

Pitchfbot 

S 

Sad 

^aliwijju' 

Sail 

Fewtfcaio 

Sack,  or  Bag 

Mn/kimot 

Sea,  Of  large 

Lake 

u4gci/il:iti-higaivmiftk 

Shoes 

Mauhjfin 

Ship,  or  larg 

e  Canoe 

K'ltchi  Chcman 

Sorry 

Nifcottjfic 

Spirit 

• 

Jilanitott 

Spoorx 

» 

Miciiivon- 

Star 

ylLvik 

Steal 

Kemautin 

Stockings 

Mlttaus 

Strong 

Mfijljkawwah 

Sturgeon 

Laiumack 

Sun 

Kfu 

Sword 

Hiwnitgan 

Surprifinsj 

Etivahy  Et'cvah' 

See 

Waivhemo 

Since 

JMapt'doh 

Shirt 

Papci-u'kiviyt?i 

Slave 

Wackan 

Sleep 

« 

Nippce 

Sit  ilowni 

jMitit(pi?t 

T 

Take 

hnmunJafi 

Teeth 

Tibhli 

That 

ALrii'bah 

There 

J 

Watjaudcbi 

H7 


\^'^ 

) 


f- 


^ 


'Sk 


mi 


4    * 


m 


Thii 


H$ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


m 


h  :    h? 


This 

Maundah 

Tiuly 

Kikit 

Together 

Mawmawwsi 

Tobacco 

Semau 

Tongue 

Outon 

Tired 

Tanvhonfte 

Too  little 

Ofaummangts 

Too  much 

Ojpiuue 

Thank  you 

Mfgnvatch 

To-morrow 

Wunx'bufik 

Tomorrow  the  day  after 

Oufiva'wbutik 

W 

"VVarriorft 

Stmaugafiaujh 

Water 

Kcbhi 

War 

JSatitaubaulavJ 

Wav 

JMl^kon 

Weil  then  \ 

1  autiectuliih  f 

What  is  that  ? 

H  (rii.ioi'ivin  ? 

Whai  now  ? 

^inpfiie  ? 

Whence 

^  aufiippi 

Where 

7i,.h 

White 

li  'aube 

Who  is  there  ? 

^lagotiie  Maubah  f 

Wind 

Loutin 

Winter 

Pipoun 

Woman 

Ichivee 

Wood 

Mittic 

Wolf 

Maiu/.'ing9n 

Y 

Yefterday 

PetchiUiLgo 

Yet 

Minntwatch 

Young 

WifiOiu'hiJJl 

Yellow 

tVazzo 

The  NUMERICAL  Terms  of  the  Chipe  ways. 


One 
Two 


Pnpk 


Tkrce 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


245 


)U 


\nk 

ujl 
'aiu 

hf 

'in  ? 


Tlircc 

Four 

Five 

Six 

Seven* 

Eight 

Nine 

Ten 

Eleven 

Twenty 

Thirty 

Forty 

Fifty 

Sixty 

S'vtnt| 

Eighty 

Ninety 

Hundred' 

Thoufand 


^ijjou 
JNeau 
Naratt 
Ntftgotitnvajfou 

NiJIliunllhu 
Shcngtijfou 
Jilit:.'i:Jou 
'Mittcwjfcu  Palhik 
Nimhtatunatu 
Hijjlit   Mittaivv.aio 
Xeau  J^::ttnnvrui%u 
Karan  M:ttaivna%v 
yiingoutivajfm  Mittatvnaw 
J\^wchonva(Jbu  Mittaivna'w 
NiJfoivaJJou  Mtttavjtia'W 
Shoti^njjbu  Mtttamfmio 
Mittaujfou  MHt aivnaio 

C  Mittaujjlu  Mittaujfotf 

\      MitiaWftaiu 


Maubah  ? 


A  fliort  VOCABULARY  of  the  Naudowejsh 

Li^NGUAGE. 


1^ 


TkKC 


Axe 


B 


Afbpaw 


M 

Beaver 

Chaivbab 

■» 

Buffalo 

J  awfon^o 

Bad 

Shejah 

0 

Broach 

Muztihootoc 

Bear,  a 
C 

WahkonfJjejah 

Cn\H)U 

Waahtoh 

Cold 

Mecbuetab 

'hipewats. 

I'hihl,  A 

Mm1« 

Weihctih/eh 

Child,  .1 

I'^MI.flUl 

Whachi'ilfeh 

Coijie  her« 

ALctoyAtipre 

Dead- 


*5* 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


Dead 
Deer 
Dog 

Eat 
Ears 
Eyes 
Evil 


^ 


Fire 

Father 

Frenchman 

Falls  of  Water 

Friend 

G 

Good 

Give 

Go  awaif 

God,  or  the  Great  Spirit 

Gun 

Great 

Gold 

H 
Hear 
Horfc 

Home,  or  domellle 
Houfe 
Heaven 

I 

Iron 
I^  or  me 

K 

King,  or' chief 
Kill 

L 
little 


Kegufi 

Tohitijoh 

Shtwguflj 

Echaiumetia'W 
Nookah 
FJlH'ike 
^hejab 

Paahtah 
Otah 

Neehteegufh 
Owah  Mettai 
Kitchiivab 

Wofitah 

Accooyeh 

Accocnvah 

JVakon 

Muzah    Wahti 

^ong'o 

Muzaham 

ilooii/fjon 
8huetofig9      'jj 
Shtah 
^eebee 
jvofbtah  Tehte 

Muzah 
Mech 

Otah 
NeguJhtauga'W 


Long 


CARVER'S 

TRAVELS. 

2;  I 

Tongoom 
7o)igo  Mcnch 

Love 

Ehwahnh'iili 

M 

Much 

Qtah 

More 

OtcnaiD 

Moon 

Owech 

Mouth 

Eeh 

Medal 

Mnzr     O^Cii 

Mine 

Me      '' 

Milk 

HtJ'uiuLh 

N 

No 
Near 

0 

Heyth 
Jeejlinaw    , 

.Oh! 

P 

Pipe 

Pipe  of  Pel 

Hopini^ahle  ! 

ICC 

Shanuapaiv 
ShanuapavJ  JVahii 

R 

Rain 

Owah  Mtnah 

Ring 

Muznmchupnb 

Round 

Chupah 

S 

Smoke 

Ehanveah 

Salt  Water 

Ah'nis  ^ifab 

See,  to 

Efita  -D 

Sleep 
S-ake 

Mfitenm 
Om'ifhcav) 

Sun 

Piiahtab 

Spirit 
Spirituous 

LiquOi'8 

Wahon 
Meneh  JVahn 

Snow 

Sifinee 

Surprifing 
Silver 

Hopirnaytwe 
Muzaham 

T 

Tobacco 

ShawfoJjd-jJ 

m 


m 


.tf' 


i  -r 


r  va 


Talk 


fiSi               CARVER'S 

TRAVELS. 

Talk 

Oivehchln 

Tree 

OchaiJu 

There 

Vache 

W 

Woman 

IVwuohejah 

Wonderful 

Hopinlyare 

Water 

Metieh 

What 

7'awgo 

Who  is  there  ? 

Ta'-d'godache  ? 

Wicked 

Heyahachta 

Y 

You 

Chee 

Young 

Hawpawnait) 

You  are  good 

Wafjtah  Chee 

You  are  a  Spirit 

Wakon  Chee 

You  are  my  good 

friend 

WaJJjtah  Kitchiwah  Chee 

No  Good 

Heyah  Wnfitah 

A   *H< 

One 

iFl   • 

Two 

fe-,-'       ■ 

Three 

B.,  L4  ^     > 

Four 

Five 

Six 

'-I9H 

'^i^^^^^H^ 

Seven 

Eight 
Nine 

VV         ■     r,.'   . 

Ten 
Eleven 

'^^f^ 

Twenty 
Thirty 

•  ■   1       i 

ji 

Forty 
Fifty 
Sixty 

1 

1 

Seventy 

The  NUMERICAL  Terms  of  theNAUDOWEssiEj. 


JVoNchaw 

Noompaiu 

OTaivrnQHce 

Toboh 

Sanubuite 

Shaivco 

Sh.rvcopee 

8h:il'iridoh:n 

NebochNf\(ranong 

tt'C'jorhu  //i^'  .-.•  nong 

H'l'gor.i  itrgnnojig  Wctichaw 

F!  'i'gi^rbiffijj;afn>  '^  Noompari) 
Wcgochiing:?notig  Tnivminee 

y/tg'ji:bi.t:g anJKg  Tohoh 

lVcgjchtin\ ntijfig  Kiiuh/ffe 

JVegochufignfion\r  Shaii r9 
fVegochuiigdmiig  Sha  •(  ^  ^pce 
Eighty 


bOWESSIEJ. 


luiftgiitiong    Ska- 


(^      hlndoh'tn 

V  IvegochufigafiQUg  Kt^- 


Eighty    ^ 

Ninety  ^        . 

^  ^      chunganong 

Hundreti  r        Upohtig 

Thoufand  tvegochunganofig    Opahng 

To  this  fliort  vocabulary  of  the  Naudowflie  lan- 
guage, I  fliall  adjoin  a  fpecimcn  of  the  manner  in 
which  thcy^mite  their  words.  I  have  chofen  for  this 
purpofe  a  ihort  fong,  which  they  fing,  with  fomc 
kind  of  melody,  though  not  with  any  appearance  of 
poetical  meafure,  when  they  fet  out  on  their  hunting 
expeditions :  and  have  given  as  near  a  tranflation  as 
the  difference  of  the  idioms  will  permit. 

Mioh  accooivah  ejhtaiv  paatah  negujhtawganv  Jhejah 
vxenah.  Tongo  Wakon  meoh  nvojhia^  paatah  accooivah. 
Hoplniyahie  oweeh  accooyee  meohy  ivoOjia  patah  otoh  tO" 
hitijoh  meoh  teebee, 

I  will  rife  before  the  fun,  and  afcend  yonder  hill, 
to  fee  the  new  light  chafe  away  the  vapors,  and  dif- 
pcrfc  the  cloudJ.  Great  Spirit,  give  me  fuccefs. 
And  when  the  fun  is  gone,  lend  me  oh  moon,  light 
fufficient  to  guide  me  with  lufety  back  to  my  tent 
ioaden  with  deer  ! 


k*^K 


'        ^x 


CH  AFTER  XVIII. 


»54 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


CHAPTER     XVIIT. 


OF  THE  BEASTS,  BIRDS,  FISHFS,  REPTILES, 
AXD  INSECTS,  iviircH  are  found  in  thI 
INTERIOR  PARTS  OF  NORTH-AMERICA. 


O 


F  theft  I  (hall,  in  llie  fifft  place,  give  a  ca- 
talogue, and  afterwardj  a  delcriptloii  of  fuch  only  av 
arc  cither  peculiar  to  this  country,  or  which  difTcrin 
fome  material  point  from  thofe  that  are  to  he  mc: 
1^'ith  in  other  realms. 

OF  THE  BEASTS. 

The  Ty;Ter,  the  Bear,  Wolves,  Foxcs,^Dog8,  the 
Cat  of  the  Mountain,  the  Wild  Cat,  the  ButFalo,  the 
Deer,  the  Elk,  the  Moofe,  the  Carrabou,  the  Carca- 
jou, the  Skunk,  the  Porcupine,  the  Hedge-ho^,  the 
VVoodchuck,  the  Racoon,  the  Martin,  the  Filhcr, 
the  Murquafli,  Squirrels,  Hares,  Rabbits,  the  Mole, 
the  Weezel,  the  Moufe,  the  Dormoufc,  the  Beaver, 
the  Otter,  the  Mink,  and  Bats. 

The  TYGER.  The  Tygcr  of  America  refembirs 
in  (liape  thofc  of  Africa  anil  Afia,  but  is  confulerably 
I'maller.  Nor  does  it  appcur  to  be  fo  fierce  and  ra- 
venous as  thcv  arc.  The  color  of  it  is  a  darkifh  fal- 
lov/,  and  it  is  entirely  free  from  fpots.  I  hw  one  on 
an  illand  in  the  Chipeway  Rive(;,  of  which  I  had  a 
very  good  view,  as  it  was  at  no  great  diltance  from 
me.  It  fat  up  on  its  hinder  parts  like  a  dog ;  and 
did  not  fccm  either  to  be  apprchenfivcof  our  appro.icln, 
or  to  difcover  'any  ravenous  inclinations.  It  is  how- 
ever very  feldom  to  be  met  with  iu  this  part  of  the 
world. 

The  BEAR.  Bears  are  very  numerous  on  this 
continent,  but  more  particularly  fo  in  the  northern 

pnrts 


CARVER  i   TK^AVrLS. 


25J 


parts  of  it,  nful  contribute  to  furnlfli  both  food  ar.d 
beds  for  alinoll  every  Iiuliiin  nation.     Tliofj  of  Ame- 
rica dirf'or   in   many    reipedts  from  thole  either  rf 
Greenland  or  Ruflia,  ihcy  being  not  only  Ibmcwhat 
fmallcr,  but  timorous  and  inoftVnfivc,  unlcfs  th^y  arc 
pinched  by  hunger,  or  fmarting  from  a  wound.    The 
iij;ht  of  a  man  terrifies  them  ;  and  a  dog  will  pu.  f^ve. 
ral  to  flight.     They  are  extremely  fond  of  grapes,  and 
wiil  climb  to  the  top  of  the  highcfl:  trees  in  quell  ol 
ihcm.     T!ii;i  kind  of  food  renders  their  fklli^excct- 
fivcly  rich,  and  fiiicly  flavored  ;  and  it  ia  conletjuent- 
iy  preferred  by  the  Indians  and  traders  to  that  of  any 
other  animal.     The  fat  is  very  white,  and  befidcs  be- 
ing fwect  and  wholcfome,  is  pofTeflcd  cf  one  valuable 
quality,  which  is,  that  it  never  cloys.     The   inhab> 
tants  of  thefc  parts  conftantly  anoint  themfelves  with 
it,  and   to  its   efficacy  they  in  a  great  mcafure   owe 
their  agility.      The  fcafon  for  hunting   th6   bear  is 
during  the  winter  ;  when  they  take  up  tliclr  abode  i:i 
hollow  trees,   or  make  themfelves  dens  in   the  roots 
of  thofe  that  are  blown  down,  the  entrance  of  which 
they  ftop  up  with  branches  of  fir  tliat  lie   fcattered 
about.      From  thefe  retreats  it  is  faid  they  (tir  rot 
whilfl  the  weather  continues  fevere,  and  as  it  is  well 
known  that  they  do  not  provide  themfelves  with  food, 
they  are  fuppf^fed  to  be  enabled  by  nature  to  fubfilt 
for  fome  months  without,  and  during  this  time  to 
continue  of  the  fame  bulk. 

The  WOLF.  The  wolves  of  North -America  at* 
much  Icfs  than  thofe  which  are  met  ^vith  in  other' 
parts  of  the  world.  They  have,  l.r  v  ever,  in  com 
mon  with  the  reft  of  their  fpecics,  a  wildnefs  m  their 
looks,  and  a  fiercenefs  in  their  eyes  j  nctwithftanding 
which,  they  arc  far  from  being  fo  ravenous  as  the 
European  wolves,  nor  will  they  ever  attack  a  man, 
except  they  have  accidentally  fed  on  the  ilefli  of  thofe 
flain  in  battle.  •  When  they  lievd  together,  as  they 
often  dQ  in  the  winter,  they  make  a  hideous  and  ter  - 
»  ri!)le 


if 


f  ■* 


(*•' 
■^■H 


11 


»1' 


'  ;«ii; 


2S€ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


.  J-f  i^  I 


\m^M 


riblc  noifc.  In  thcfe  parts  there  arc  two  kinds ;  out 
of  which  ia  of  a  fallow  color,  the  other  of  a  dun,  in- 
clining to  a  black. 

The  FOX.  I'here  are  two  forts  of  foxes  In  North- 
America,  which  ilifl'cr  only  in  their  color,  one  bcinj 
of  a  rcdclifh  brown,  the  other  of  a  grey  j  thoie  of  the 
Jatler  kind  that  are  found  near  the  river  Mifiifippj, 
arc  extremely  beautiful,  their  hair  being  of  a  filvcr 
grev. 

DOGS.  The  (logs  employed  by  the  Indians  in 
Jiunting  appear  to  be  all  of  the  fame  Ipecics  •,  they 
carry  their  ears  erc£l,  and  greatly  rcfemble  a  wolf 
about  the  head.  They  are  exceedingly  ufeful  to  them 
in  their  hunting  excurfiuns,  and  will  attack  the  fierc- 
cll  of  the  game  tliey  are  in  purfuit  of.  They  are 
tM'q  remarkable  for  their  fidelity  to  their  maflers  j  hut 
rbeing  ill  fed  by  them,  are  very  iroublefome  in  their 
huts  or  tents. 

The  CAT  of  the  Mountain.  This  creature  is  in 
{liape  like  a  cat,  only  much  larger.  The  hair  or  fur 
refcmbles  alfo  the  ikin  of  that  domeflic  animal ;  the 
color,  however  dililrs,  for  the  former  ib  of  a  rcddifh 
or  orange  cafl,  but  grows  ligliter  near  the  belly. 
The  whole  Ikin  is  beautified  with  black  fpots  of  dif- 
ferent figures,  of  which  thofe  on  tlie  bick  are  long, 
and  thofe  on  the  lower  parts  round.  On  the  cars 
there  are  black  ftripes.  Thi .  creature  is  nearly  as 
iieree  as  a  leopard,  but  will-feldom  attack  a  man. 

The  BUFFALO.  This  bead,  of  which  there  arc 
amazing  numbers  in  thefc  parts,  is  larger  than  an  ox, 
has  fliort  black  horns,  with  a  large  beard  under  liis 
chin,  and  his  head  is  fo  full  of  hair,  that  it  falls  over 
his  eyes,  and  gives  him  a  frightful  look.  There  io  a 
bunch  on  his  back  which  begins  at  the  haur.ches,  and 
increafing  gradually  to  the  (houlders,  reaches  'on  to 
the  neck.  Both  this  excrefcence  and  its  whole  body 
arc  covered  with  long  hair,  or  rather  wool,  of  a  duiv 
or  nioufc  tolor,  wliich  is  exceedingly  valuable,  efpc- 

ci'-iily 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


257 


kinds ;  ont 
f  a  dun,  in- 

cs  in  North- 
one  being 

thofe  of  the 
Ivlifllfippi, 
of  a  filvcr 

Indians  In 
pccics  j  they 
T:blc  a  wolf 
eful  to  them 
ck  the  fierc- 
They  are 
mafters  y  but 
ome  in  their 

reature  Is  in 
c  hair  or  fur 
animal ;  the 
,  of  a  rcdciifh 
ir   the   belly. 

fpoti  of  (lif- 
nck  are  Icng, 

On  the  cars 
:  is  nearly  as 
:k  a  man. 
lich  there  arc 
r  than  an  ox, 
rd  under  his 
L  it  falls  over 
Tliere  ic.  a 
aunches,  and 
eaches  'on  to 
s  whole  body 
ool,  of  a  dun 
>luable,  efpc- 
ci'-Uly 


ciiilly  that  on  the  fore  part  of  the  body.  Its  head  is 
Jarger  than  a  bull's  with  a  very  fhort  neck  •,  the  bread 
is  broad,and  the  body  decreafes  towards  the  buttocks. 
Thefe  creatures  will  run  away  at  the  fight  of  a  man, 
and  a  whole  herd  will  make  ofF  when  they  perceive 
a  fingle  dog.  The  fiefh  of  the  buffalo  is  excellent 
food,  its  hide  is  extremely  ufeful,  and  the  hair  very 
proper  for  the  manufacture  of  various  articles. 

'J'he  DEER.  There  is  but  one  ipccies  of  deer 
in  North -America,  and  thefe  nre  higher  and  of  a  flim- 
mer  make  than  thofe  in  Europe.  Their  fliape  is  near- 
ly the  fame  as  the  European,  their  color  of  a  desp 
fallow,  and  their  horns  very  large  and  brancJiing. 
'This  bead  is  the  fwiftefl  on  the  American  p!'.ilns,  and 
ihey  herd  together  as  they  do  in  oth.cr  countries. 

The  ELK  greatly  exceeds  the  deer  in  fize,  being 
in  bulk  equal  to  a  horfc:  Its  body  is  flrantd  like  that 
of  a  deer,  only  its  tail  is  remarkably  Ihort,  being  not 
more  than  three  inches  long.  The  color  of  its  hair, 
which  ij  grey,- and  not  unlike  that  of  a  camel,  but  of 
a  more  reddilh  call,  is  nearly  three  inches  in  length, 
and  as  coarfe  as  thai  of  a  horfe.  'J'he  horns  of  thiy 
trearurs  grow  to  a  prodi^jious  fize,  extending  fo  wide 
that  two  or  three  perfons  mij'ht  lit  between  them  at 
the  fa^ne  time.  They  arc  not  forked  like  thole  of  a 
cieer,but  have  all  their  teeth  or  branches  on  the  out- 
er edge.  Nor  dres  the  form  of  thofe  of  the  elk  rc- 
femble  a  deer's,  the  lormer  being  llat,  and  eight  or 
ten  inches  broad,  whereas  the  latter  are  round  and 
confiderably  narrower.  They  fhed  their  horns  every 
year  in  the  month  c>f  February,  anil  by  Ae.guft  the 
new  ones  are  nearly  arrived  at  their  fvdl  growth. 
Notwiihflandinsy  their  fize,  and  the  means  of  d(  fence 
nature  has  fitrnilhed  them  with,  thev  are  as  timorous 
as  a  deer.  'I'hcir  ik'm  is  very  ufeful,  and  will  drefs 
j>s  well  as  that  of  a  buck.  They-  Iced  on  grafs  in  the 
fummer,  and  on  mofs  or  bu»** ''ni  the  winter. 

^^yit.    V  The 


-*  1!' 


■"I 


K  I 


I'        I 


358 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


The 


MOOSE  is  nearly  about  the  fizc  of  the  cjk> 
and  the  horns  of  it  are  almofl  as  numerous  as  due 
animal's  ;  the  (Icm  of  them,  however,  is  not  quite  iu 
wide,  and  they  branch  on  both  fides  like  thofc  of  4 
deer.  This  creaure  alfo  fheds  them  every  year. 
Though  its  hindc  r  parts  are  very  broad,  its  tail  if. 
not  above  an  iiuh  long.  It  has  feet  and  legs  like  a 
camel  \  its  hca  1  r  about  two  feet  long,  its  upper  lip 
much  larger  than  the  under,  and  the  noftrils  of  it  arc 
fo  wide  that  a  man  nnght  thrufl  his  hand  into  them 
n  conilderablc  way.  The  hair  of  the  moofe  is  light 
jrrey,  mixed  with  a  blackifh  ^-ed.  It  is  very  elailic, 
lor  though  it  be  beaten  ever  fo  long,  it  will  retain  its 
original  iJ)ape.  The  flclh  is  exceeding  good  food,  ca- 
fy  of  digcftion,  and  very  nourifliing.  The  nol'c  or 
upper  lip,  which  i^  large  and  loofe  from  the  gums,  is 
ellecmed  a  groat  delicacy,  being  of  a  firm  confidence, 
between  marrow  and  griftlc,  and  when  properly 
drcfled,  aflbrds  a  rich  and  lufclous  difh.  Its  hide  is 
very  proper  for  leather,  being  thick  and  itrong,  yet 
loft  and  pliable.  The  pace  of  thij  creature  is  always 
.\  trot,  which  is  fo  expeditious,  that  it  is  exceeded  in 
fvviftnefs  but  by  few  of  it:,  fellow  iaihabitauts  of  tht'Tc 
woods.  It  is  generally  found  in  the  forells,  where  it 
feeds  on  mofs  and  buds.  Though  this  creature  is  of 
the  deer  kind,  it  nevf.r  herds  as  thofe  do.  Molt  au- 
thors confound  it  wilth  the  elk,  deer  .or  carrabou,  but 
it  is  a  fpecies  totally  different  as  might  be  difcovercd 
by  attendiiig  to  the  defcription  I  have  given  of  each. 
The  CARRABOU.  This  beall  is  not  near  fo  tall 
as  the  mooie,  however  it  is  foaiLthing  like  it  in  ihape, 
only  rather  more  heavy,  and  inclining  to  the  form  of 
an  afs.  The  horns  ol  it  are  not  Hat  as  thofe  of  the 
cik  are,  but  round  like  thofe  of  the  deer;  they  alfo 
meet  nearer,  togqfher  at  the  extremities,  and  bend 
more  over  the  hcc  tiian  either  thofc  of  the  elk  or 
moofe.     It  partaken  of  ^'jftjfwiftnefs  of  the  deer,  and 

ii  widi  dijfiiculty  ovcrtak  is  cxt^  purfucrs.    The  fldli 

of 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS, 


^$^ 


of  the  clk> 

us  as   iliac 

lot  quite  io 

:  thofc  of  a 

every  year. 

d,  its  tail  if. 

legs  like  a 

s  upper  lip 

rils  of  it  arc 

1  into  them 

ofe   is  light 

t'ery  elailic, 

'ill  retain  its 

lOcl  food,  ca~ 

The  nol'e  or 

the  gums,  is 

confiflence, 

en   properly 

Its  hiv.le  is 

1  llrong,  yet 

nc  is  always 

exceeded  in 

ants  of  thele 

lis,  where  it 

Tcaturc  is  of 

Mofl  au. 

irrabou,  but 

c  difcovercd 

ven  of  each. 

t  near  fo  tall 

:  it  in  ihape, 

the  form  of 

thofe  of  the 

r }  they  alfo 

i,   and  bend 

f  the  elk  or 

le  deer,  and 

:.    Theflelh 

of 


of  it  likewifc  is  equally  as  good,  the  tongue  particu-  • 
larly  is  in  high  cfteeni.     The  Ikin  being  fmooth  and 
free  from  veins,  is  as  valuable  as  fliamoy. 

The  CARCAJOU.  Thlc  creature,  which  is  of  the 
cat  kind,  is  a  terrible  enemy  to  the  preceding  four  fpc- 
cies  of  beads.  He  cither  comes  upon  them  from  fomc 
Luncealment  unperccived,  or  climbs  up  into  a  tree, 
and  taking  his  (lation  on  fome  of  the  branches,  waits 
till  one  of  them  driven  by  an  extreme  of  heat  or  cold, 
takes  Ihclter  under  it  ;  when  he  faAens  upon  his 
mck}  and  opening  the  jugular  vein,  foon  brings  his 
prey  to  the  ground.  This  he  is  enabled  to  do  by  his 
long  tail,  with  which  he  encircles  the  body  of  liis  ad- 
verfary  *,  and  tlie  only  means  they  have  to  fhun  their 
fate,  is  by  flying  immediately  to  the  water  ;  by  this 
method,  as  the  carcajou  has  a  great  diflike  to  that  ele- 
ment, he  is  fometimes  got  rid  of  before  he  can  effci^ 
his  purpofe. 

The  SKUNK.  This  is  the  mod  extraordinary  an- 
imal tint  the  American  woods  produce.  It  is  rather 
Icfs  than  a  pole-cat,  and  of  the  fame  fpecies ;  it  i» 
therefore  often  miftaken  for  that  creature,  but  is  very 
different  from  it  in  many  points.  Its  hair  is  long 
and  fliining,  variegated  with  large  black  and  white 
fpots,  the  former  moflly  on  the  Ihoulders  and  rump  •, 
its  tail  is  very  bufliy,  like  that  of  the  fox,  part  bJack, 
and  part  white  like  its  body  -,  it  lives  chiefly  in  the 
woods  and  hedges  ;  but  its  extraordinary  powers  are 
only  Ihewn  when  it  ispurfued.  As  foon  as  he  find* 
himfclf  in  danger,  he  ejc^s,  to  a  great  diflance  from 
behind,  a  fmallftreain  of  water,  of  fo  fubtile  a  nature, 
and  at  the  fame  time  fo  powerful  a  finell,  that  the 
air  is  tainted  with  it  for  half  a  mile  in  circumference  -, 
and  his  purfuers,  whether  men  or  dogs,  being  almoft 
fuflbcuted  v'ith  the  ilcncli,  are  obliged  to  give  over 
the  {Miffuit.  On  this  account  he  is  called  by  the  French, 
Enfant  du  Diable,  the  Child  of  the  Devil  j  or  Bete 
Puaute^  the  Stinking  Bead.    It  is  nlmod  impolhble  to 

dcfcribe 


I      «♦ 


''^^« 


•j/>o 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


n  ^i 


I J 


^■b 

i^H 

n^ 

fr 

J^H 

^■^^^^HtM^^B^H  < 

% 

^pfc^^ 

^ 

KSifi 

■^P 

1 

HHB^^^^^Hri^HI^^^^B 

HkI^ 

■1 

I^F^^^^^^Hi^^^^^^H 

dcfcribc  the  noifome  cffecls  of  the  h'quid  with  which 
this  creature  is  fupplied  by  nature  for  its  defence.  If 
a  drop  of  it  falls  on  your  clothes,  they  arc  rendered 
fo  difagreeable  that  it  is  impofliblc  ever  after  to  wear 
them  ;  or  if  any  of  it  enters  your  eyelids,  the  pain  be- 
comes intolerable  for  a  long  time^  and  perhaps  at  lad 
you  lofe  your  fight.  The  lii -dl  of  the  Ikunk,  though 
thus  to  be  dreaded,  is  not  like  that  of  a  putrid' car- 
cafe,  but  a  ftrong  foetid  ef^uvia  of  niulk,  which  dif- 
pleal'es  rafher  from  its  pcno^riting  power  than  from 
its  ru^ufeoufnefs.  It  is  noriiKiirtanding  confidcrcdas 
conducive  to  clear  tlu!  i*ea(*i  «;id  to  raife  the  fpirits. 
This  water  is  fuppnievi  b/  r«^t\iralifls  to  be  its  urine  \ 
but  I  have  dilllclcd  ni;iii,  of  them  tliat  I  have  (hot, 
and  have  foup  I  witluJi  i:  "t  bodies,  near  the  urinal 
veflli,  a  fnuill  rt':*"nr  •  ..c  or  v.  Jter,  totally  diltincfl  from 
tlic  bladder  w'^iclr  cGuta.nied  the  urine,  and  from 
\vhich  alone  I  am  fatisfiCvi  the  horrid  ilcnch  proceeds. 
Af*cv  h'ving  taken  out  with  great  care  the  bag  where- 
in %\m  w  .  :er  is  lodged,  I  lliuve  frequently  feil  on  them, 
anu  Lave  found  them  very  fwc't  and  good  ;  but  one 
drop  emitted  taints  notoidy  the  carcafe,  but  the  whole 
houfej  and  renders  every  kind  of  proviiions,  that  are 
in  it,  unfit  for  ufe.  With  great  jullice  therefore  do 
the  French  give  it  fuch  a  dii^bolical  name. 

The  rORCUl  INE.  The  body  of  an  American 
porcupine  i&  in  bulk  about  the  fize  of  a  fniall  dog,  but 
it  is  both  (horter  in  length,  and  not  fo  Iiigh  from  the 
ground.  It  varies  very  much  fidm  thofe  of  other 
countries  both  in  its  fliape  3nd  the  length  of  its  Cjuills. 
Tlie  former  is  like  that  of  a  fox,  except  the  hea<i, which 
is  not  fo  iharp  and  long,  but  relembles  more  thnt  of 
a  rabbit.  Its  body  is  covered  with  hair  of  a  dark 
brown,  about  four  inches  long,  great  part  of  which 
arc  the  thitknefs  of  a  llraw,  and  are  termed  its  quiiis. 
Thcfeare  white,  with  black  points,  hollow  afTd  very 
flrong,  tfpecially  thofe  that  gi"ow  on  the  back.  TiJC 
quiiis  fervc  thiii  ti^aturc  for  oiTenlive   and^dcfenfivc 

weapons, 


LS. 

luid  with  which 

r  its  defence.  If 

ey  arc  rendered 

er  after  to  wear 

ids,  the  pain  be- 

d  perhaps  at  lad 

e  Ikunk,  though 

of  a  putrid' car- 

lulk,  which  dif. 

owcr  than  from 

ng  conficicicd  ai 

aife  the  fpirits. 

to  be  it3  urine  j 

liat  I  have  (hot, 

near  tlie  urinal 

>dlydiltin<Sl  from 

urine,  and  from 

ilcnch  proceeds. 

c  the  bag  wlicre- 

itiy  fetl  on  them, 

i  good  ;  but  one 

fe,  but  the  wliolc 

jvilions,  that  are 

ice  therefore  do 

amc. 

of  an  American 
a  fniall  dog,  but 
fo  liigh  from  ilie 
I  thofe  of  oilier 
ngthoi  its  quills. 
t  the  hea<l, which 
es  more  that  of 
liair  of  a  dark 
,U  part  of  wliich 
erircd  its  quiils. 
hollow  affd  very 
the  back.  Tiie 
e   and^dclenfivc 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


261 


weapons,  which  he  darts  at  his  enemies,  and  if  they 
p'crce  the  ficfli  in  the  leaft  degree,  they  will  fmk  ouitc 
into  it,  and  arc  not  to  be  extracted  without  incilion. 
The  Indians  ufe  ihem  for  boring  their  cars  and  nofcs, 
to  infert  their  pendants,  and  alfo  by  way  of  ornament 
in  their  (lockings,  hair,  &c.  befides  which,  they  gieat- 
Iv  elleem  the  flefh 

'  Tlie  WOOD-CHUCK  is  a  ground  animal  of  the 
fur  1  ind,  about  thv?  Cizc  of  a  martin,  being  nearly  fii-. 
tccu  inches  long  •,  .cs  body  however  is  rounder,  and 
its  leg  (liorter  ;  the  fore-paws  of  it  are  broad,  ar.d 
conftrudcd  for  the  purpofc  of  digging  holes  in  the 
ground,  where  it  burows  like  a  rabbit  j  Its  fur  is  of  a 
grey  color,  on  the  reddifli  caft,  and  it$  ilcfh  tolerable 
food. 

The  RACOON  is  fomewhat  lefs  in  Hze  than  a  bcs- 
ver,  and  its  feet  and  legs  arc  like  thofe  of  that  crca. 
turc,  but  (hort  in  proportion  to  its  body,  which  !«,« 
fumbles  that  of  a  badger.  The  (iirj'e  of  its  head  is 
much  like  a  fox's,  only  the  cars  are  (horter,  met'? 
round  and  naked  j  and  its  hair  is  alfo  fimiiar  to  W.At 
animal's,  being  thick,  long,  foft,  d  black  at  r^-i; 
ends.  On  its  face  there  is  a  bro;  .tripe  that  runs  a- 
crofs  it,  and  includes  the  eyes,  v.  ich  are  large.  Its 
muzzle  is  black,  and  at  the  end  undifti  like  that  of 
a  dog;  the  teeth  arc  alfo  fnr.il  r  to  thofe  of  a  dog 
in  number  and  fliape  ;  the  tail  long  and  round,  wi»li 
annular  ftripes  on  it  like  tliofe  of  a  cat  ;  the  feet  have 
five  long  (lender  toes,  armed  with  fliarp  ciaws,  by 
which  it  is  enabled  to  climb  up  trees  like  a  monkev, 
and  to  run  to  the  very  extremities  of  the  boughs.  It 
makes  ufe  of  its  fore  feet,  in  the  manner  of  hands,and 
feeds  itfelf  with  them.  The  &■  (li  of  this  creature  i» 
very  good  in  the  months  of  Sep*  :mbfr  and  0£lobcr, 
when  fruit  and  nuts,  on  which  it  likes  to  feed,  are 
plenty. 

The  MARTIN   is  rather  larger  than  a  fquirr'-l, 
•nd  fomewhat  of  the  fame  make  }  its  kgs  and  claws, 

however, 


li 


"ii 


262 


CAKVER'5  TRAVELS. 


M  ■^.l^m■fn 


m 


however,  are  confulerably  fiiortcr.  Its  ears  are  fiiort, 
broad,  and  roundifh,  and  its  eyes  Oiine  in  ihe  night 
like  thofe  of  a  cat.  The  whole  body  is  covered  with 
I'ur  of  a  brownifli  fallow  color,  and  there  are  fon'.e  in 
the  more  northern  parts  which  are  black  ;  the  iking 
of  the  latter  are  of  much  greater  value  than  the  oth- 
ers. The  tail  is  covered  with  long  hair,  which  makes 
it  appear  thicker  than  it  really  is*  Its  iiefh  is  fomc- 
timcs  eaten,  but  is  not  in  any  p;reat  efleem. 

The  MUSQtTASH,  or  MUSK-RAT,  Is  fotcrm- 
cd  for  thccxquiiite  muik  which  it  affords.  It  appears 
to  be  a  diminutive  of  the  beaver,  being  endowed  with 
all  the  properties  of  that  fagacious  animal,  and  wants 
not  hi  n-  but  fizc  and  ftrength,  being  not  much  bigger 
than  a  large  rat  of  the  Norway  breed,  to  rival  the 
creature  it  fo  much  refembles.  Was  it  not  for  its 
tail,  which  is  exactly  the  fame  as  that  of  an  Europe- 
an rat,  the  ftrud^ure  of  their  bodies  is  fo  much  alike, 
efpccially  the  ii?ad,  that  it  might  be  taken  for  x\  fmall 
beaver.  Like  that  creature  it  builds  itfelf  a  cabin,but 
of  a  lefs  pcrfc<SV  coiiftru£lion,  and  takes  up  its  abode 
near  the  fide  of  fomc  piece  of  water.  In  the  fpring 
they  leave  their  retreats,  and  in  pairs  fubfift  on  leaves 
3iid  roots  till  the  fummer  comes  on,  when  they  feed 
on  ftrawbcrrles,  ralherries,  and  fuch  other  fruits  as 
they  can  reach.  At  the  approach  ofwinter  they  fep- 
arate,  when  each  takes  up  its  lodging  apart  by  iti'clf  in 
fomc  hollow  of  a  tree,  where  they  remain  quite  un- 
provided with  food,  and  there  is  thegreateft  reafon  to 
'jelicve,  fubfift  without   any  till  the  return  of  fpring. 

SQUIRRELS.  Thtre  are  five  forts  of  fquirrcls 
in  America  *,  the  red,  the  grey,  the  black,  the  varie- 
gated and  the  flying.  The  two  former  are  ex^iSliy  the 
fame  as  thofe  of  Europe  ;  the  black  are  fomewhat 
larger  and  differ  from  them  only  in  color ;  the  vari- 
egated alfo  refemble  them  in  fliape  and  figure,  but  are 
very  beautiful,  being  finely  ftriped  with  white  or  grey, 
and  fomctimc$  with  red  and  black.    The  American 

flying 


CARVKR-s  TRAVELS. 


26i 


flying  fquirrel  is  much  lefs  than  the  European,  being 
not  above  five  inches  long,  and  of  a  ruflet  grey  or  afh- 
color  on  the  back,  and  white  on  the  under  parts.  It 
h:is  black  prominent  eyes,  hke  thofe  of  the  moufe, 
with  a  long,  flat,  broad  tail.  By  a  membraiie  on  each 
fide,  which  reaches  from  its  fore  to  its  hind  legs,  this 
creature  is  enabled  to  leap  from  one  tree  to  another, 
even  if  they  iland  a  confiderable  diftancc  apart ;  this 
loof<'  Ikin,  which  it  is  enabled  to  ftretch  out  like  a  fiil, 
and  by  which  it  is  buoyed  up,  is  about  two  inches 
broad,  and  is  covered  with  a  line  hair  or  down.  It 
feeds  upon  the  fame  provifions  as  the  others,  and  is 
cafily  tamed. 

The  BEAVER.     Thii  CKw,turc  has  been  Co  often 
treated  of,  and  his  uncommon    abilities  ib   minutely 
defcribcd,  that  any  further  account  of  it  v/ill  appear 
imneceflary  -,  lnowevcr  for  the  benefit  of  thofe  of  my 
readers  who  are  not  fo  well  acquainted  with  the  form 
and  properties  of  this  fagacious  and  ufeful  animal,  I 
(liall  give  a  concifc  dcfcription  of  it.     The  bci-.ver  is 
an  atnphibious  quadruped,  which  cannot  live  for  any 
long  time  in  the  water,  and  it  is  faid  is  even  able  to 
cxill  entirely  without  it,  provided  it  has  the  conveni- 
ence of  fometimes  bathing  itfelf.     Tl»e  largcft  beavers 
arc  nearly  four  feet  in  length,  and  about  fourteen  or 
fifteen  inches   in  breadth  over  the  haunches ;  they 
weigh  about  fixty  pounds.     Its  head   ivS  like  that  of 
the  otter,  but  larger  j  its  fnout  is  pretty  long,  the  eyes 
fniall,  the  ears  fliort,  round,  hairy  on  the  outride,and 
fmooth  within,  and  its  teeth  very  long  ;  the  under 
teeth  Hand  out  of  their  mouths  about  the  breadth  of 
three  fingers,  and  the  upper  half  a  finger,  all  of  which 
arc  broad,  crooked,  ftrong,-  and  fliarp  ;  befidcs  thofe 
teeth  called  the  incifors,  which  grow  double,  are  fet 
very  deep  in  their  jaws,  and  bend  like  the  edge  of  an 
axe,  they  have  fixteen  grinders,  eight  on  each  fide, 
four  above  and  four  below,  dircdly  oppofite  to  each 
otlicr.     With  the  former  they  are  able  to  cut  dowti 

trees 


I 


il^ 


-fet 


264 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


n  1 


treff«5  of  a  confulerable  fize,  with  the  latter  to  brcnk 
the  hanieft  fubdanccs.  Its  legs  arc  fliort,  particular- 
ly the  fore-legs,  which  are  only  four  or  five  inchcr. 
long,  ami  not  unlike  tliofc  of  a  badger  j  the  toes  of  the 
fore-feet  are  fcparatc,  the  nails^  placed  obliquely,  and 
are  hollow  like  quills  ;  but  the  himl  feet  are  quite 
tlilFcrcnt,  and  furnilhed  with  membranes  between  the 
toes,  fly  this  means  it  can  walk  though  but  llowly, 
and  is  able  to  fwim  with  ns  much  cafe  as  any  other 
aquatic  animal.  The  tail  has  fomewhat  in  it  that  rc- 
fembles  a  fifli,  and  feems  to  have  no  manner  of  rela- 
tion to  the  reft  of  the  body,  except  the  hind  feet,  all 
the  other  parts  being  fimilar  to  thofe  of  land  animals. 
The  tail  is  covered  with  a  fkin  furniflied  with  fcales, 
that  are  joined  together  by  a  pellicle  ;  thcfe  fcales  arc 
about  the  ihickncfs  of  parchment,  nearly  a  line  and 
a  half  in  length,  and  generally  of  a  hexagonical  fi- 
gure, having  fix  corners  j  it  is  about  eleven  or  twelve 
inches  in  length,  and  broader  in  the  middle,  where 
It  is  four  inches  over,  than  either  at  the  root  or  the 
extremity.  It  is  about  two  inches  thick  near  the  bo- 
dy, where  it  is  almoft  round,  and  grows  gradually 
thinner  and  Hatter  to  the  end.  The  color  of  the 
beaver  is  diflferefht  according  to  the  ditlerent  climaiPi 
in  which  it  is  found.  In  the  moll  northern  parts 
they  are  genernlly  quite  black  ;  in  more  temperate, 
brown  ;  theiv  eolnr  becoming  lighter  and  lighter  as 
they  approach  towards  the  fonth.  The  fui  is  of  two 
forts  all  over  the  b'>dy,  except  at  the  feet,  where  it  is 
very  fiiort  .;  that  which  is  the  longeil,  is  generally  ill 
length  about  an  inch,  l)ut  on  the  back  it  fometimcs 
extends  to  two  inches,  gradually  diminilliing  towards 
the  head  and  tail.  This  part  ot  the  fur  is  !i.ufli, 
coarfc  and  Ihinii.^,  and  of  little  ufe  ;  the  otlui  part 
confifts  of  a  very  thick  and  fine  do\vt\,  i'o  loft  th.it  it 
feels  aimed  like  lilk,  about  three  qu;trters  of  pn  irch 
in  length,  and  is  what  is  eomr.^only  juanul.tclurcd. 
Caflor,  which  is  ufeful  in  medicijiic,  is  pruducco  Iroin 

the 


ah 


V 

til 
th: 
fvv 

ih 
Ih 
lb 

CO 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


2G5 


ter  to  break 
t,  particular- 

five  inelicr. 
\C  toes  of  the 
liquely,  and 
ft  are  qtiite 
between  the 
h  but  llou'ly, 
as  any  other 
in  it  that  rc- 
nner  of  rela- 
lind  feet,  all 
land  animals. 

with  fcales, 
hcfe  fcales  ure 
rly  a  line  and 
exagonicnl  fi- 
von  or  twelve 
nKklle,  where 
le  root  or  the 
k  near  the  bo- 
oWvS  gradually 
2  color  of  the 
crent  climnifj 
northern  parts 
F)rc  temperate, 
antl  lighter  as 
le  fui  is  of  two 
tet,  where  it  is 
is  generally  in 
i   it  fomctimcs 
iiliitipr  towards 
ic  fur  is  l^ardi, 
the  other  part 
,  fo  loft  that  it 
"ters  of  ;in  inch 
nvanufacVurcd. 
produccti  from 
the 


the  body  of  this  creature  ;  it  was  formerly  believed 
to  be  its.telHclcs,  but  later  difcovcries  have  fliowii 
that  it  is  contained  in  four  bags,  fituatcd  in  the  lower 
belly.     Two  of  which,  that  are  called  the  fuperior, 
from  their  being  more  elevated  than  the  others,  arc 
filled  with   a  foft,  rcfinous,  adhefive  matter,  mixed 
with  fmall  fibres,  greyifh  \\rhout,and  yellow  within, 
of  a  ftrong,  difiigreeable,  and  penetrating  fcent,  and 
very  inflammable.     This  is  the   true  cartoreum  j  it 
hardens  in  the  air,  and  becomes  brown,  brittle,  and 
friable.     The  inferior  bags  contain  an  undluous  li- 
quor like  honey  j  the  color  of  which  is  a  pale  ycliow, 
and  its  odor  fomewhat  different  from  the  other,  being 
rather   weaker    and    more    difagreeable  j    it  how- 
ever thickens    as  it  grows  older,  and  at  length  be- 
comes about  the  confiflcncc  of  tallow.     This  has  al- 
fo  its  particular  ufe  in  medicine  -,  but  it  is  not  fo  val- 
uable as  the  true  cafloreum. 

The  ingenuity  of  thefc  creatures  in  building  their 
cabins,  and  in  providing  for  their  fubfiltcnce,  is  true- 
ly  wonderful.  When  they  are  about  to  chufe  ihem- 
felves  a  habitation,  they  alfemble  in  companies  fome- 
times  of  two  or  three  hundred,  and  after  mature  de- 
liberation fix  on  a  place  where  plenty  of  provifions 
and  all  nec^ifl'aries  are  to  be  fountl.  Their  houl'es  are 
always  fituaied  in  the  water,  and  when  they  can  find 
neither  lake  nor  pond  adjace'-t,  they  endeavour  to 
fupply  the  defc*^  by  flopping  the  current  of  fomc 
brook  or  finall  river,  by  means  of  a  cauleway  or  dam. 
Tor  this  purpofe  they  fct  about  felling  of  trees,  and 
they  take  care  to  chufc  out  thofe  that  grow  above 
the  place  where  they  intend  to  birld,  \]\M  (hey  may 
fwim  doVn  witli  the  current.  Having  fixed  on 
thofe  that  are  proper,  three  or  four  beavers  phicing 
themfwlves  round  n  l\rge  one,  find  means  with  their 
itrono  teeth  to  brins^  it  down.  They  alfo  prudently 
cor.trive  that  it  Ihall  fall  towards  the  water,  that  they 
may  have  the  Icfs  way  to  carry  it.     After  they  hav« 


m 


i66 


CARVER'S  TRAVFX6. 


11.:''   ■ 


•  '  ri, 


by  a  continuance  of  the  fame  l.ibour  and  ImUiflry, 
cut  it  into  proper  lenj;ths,  they  roll  thcfc  iuto  tlic 
\A  atcr,  ami  navigate  them  toward'*  the  place  where 
they  ard  to  be  employed.  Witliout  cnttring  more 
minutely  into  the  meafures  they  purfuc  in  the  cori- 
llru£lion  of  their  dams,  I  fliall  only  remark,  that  hav- 
ing prepared  a  kind  of  mortar  with  their  feet,  and 
laid  it  on  uith  their  tails,  which  they  had  before  nndc 
ufe  of  to  tranfport  it  to  the  place  where  it  is  requifit*:, 
they  conflrudl  them  with  as  much  folidity  and  regu- 
larity as  the  n\o(t  experienced  workmen  could  do. 
The  formaticMi  of  their  cabins  is  no  Ids  amazin", 
Thcfe  are  either  built  on  poles  in  the  middle  of  the 
fuiall  lakes  they  have  thus  formed,  on  tJie  bank  of  a 
river,  or  at  the  extremity  of  fome  point  of  land  that 
advances  into  a  lake.  The  figure  of  them  is  round 
or  oval,  and  they  are  failiioned  with  an  Ingenuity  e- 
qual  to  their  dams.  Two  thirds  of  the  edifice  Hand.; 
above  the  water,  and  this  part  i;i  fulficicntly  capacious 
to  contain  eight  or  ton  inhabitants.  Each  beaver 
has  his  place  afllgned  him,  tlie  floor  of  which  he  cu- 
rioudy  ftrews  with  leaves,  or  fmall  branchoi  of  tlie 
pin?-tree,  fo  as  to  render  it  clean  Xtid  comfortable  ; 
and  their  cabins  arc  all  fituatetl  (o  contigiouj  to  each 
other,  as  to  allow  of  an  oafy  communication.  The 
winter  nc/er  furpriies  thcfe  animals  before  their  bufi- 
nefa  is  completed  ;  for  by  the  latter  end  of  September 
their  houfes  are  finilhed,  and  their  Hoc!:  of  proviuons 
is  generally  laid  in.  Thefe  eonlill  of  fmall  pieces  of 
wGod  whofe  texture  is  foft,  fuch  as  the  poplar,  the 
afpln>  or  willow,  &c.  which  they  lay  up  in  piles,  and 
ullpofe  of  in  fuch  manner  as  to  preferve  their  moif-  . 
ture.  Was  I  to  enumerate  every  inflance  of  fagacity 
that  is  to  be  difcovered  in  thefe  animals,  they  vvoulil 
fdl  a  volume,  and  prove  not  only  entertaining  but  in- 
ftru£ling. 

The  OTTER.     This  creature  alfo  is  amphibious, 
and  greatly  rcfemblcs  a  beaver,  but  is  very  different 

irom 


CARVF.R's  TRAVKLS. 


t^)^ 


f. 


:  iuto   the 

ICC  vvhcio 

ing   more 

1  the  coii- 

tliat  hav- 

feet,  and 

Tore  nndc 

rcquifito, 

and  rcgu- 

could   do. 

aniazi'i'. 

IdJe  of  the 

bank  of  a 

f  land  that 

\  is  round 

geiiuity  e- 

liice  iland; 

r  capacious 

;ich  beaver 

lich  he  cu- 

:h-i3  of  tlie 

n  fort  able  ; 

►uj  to  each 

OM.      'n;e 

their  bu  ii- 

Septenib'ir 

provifions 

II  pieces  of 

oplar,   the 

piles,  and 

their  moii- 

of  fagacity 

iiey  vvouM 

ing  but  ia- 

iiphibious, 
y  different 
from 


from  It  In  mnny  rcfpc£\s.  Its  boily  is  ncr.vly  ns  lor.j^ 
as  a  beaver's  but  confidcriibly  lefi.  in  all  its  parrs.  The 
muzale,  eyes,  and  the  form  of  the  head  ;irc  nearly 
the  fame,  but  the  teeth  are  very  unlike,  for  the  otter 
wants  the  large  incifors  or  ni]>per:.  tliat  a  bcr.ver  has*, 
inftead  of  thefe,  all  his  teeth,  Mithout  any  dilliiu'^^ion, 
are  fliaped  like  thcfe  of  a  dog  or  wolf.  The  hair  aU 
fo  of  tlie  former  is  not  half  lo  long  a*  tliat  belon-^in;! 
to  the  latter,  nor  is  the  color  of  it  exactly  the  iam?, 
for  the  hair  of  an  otter  under  tl  e  neck,  llomach,  and 
belly,  is  more  greylfli  than  that  of  a  beaver,  and  In 
many  other  r<  lpr<^{s  it  likewife  vaiies.  This  animal, 
which  is  met  with  in  moll  parts  of  the  world,  but  in 
much  greater  numbers  in  North- America,  is  \cry 
mifchievous,  and  when  he  is  tloftly  puifued,  will  not 
only  attack  dogs  but  men. 

It  generally  feeds  upon  fifli,  cfneeinlly  in  tic  fum- 
mcr,  but  in  the  winter  is  contented  with  tie  b.uk  of 
trees,  or  the  produce  of  the  fiehis.  It?,  fltfli  botli 
tafles  and  fmells  of  fifli,  and  is  not  whoUf(  n^e  food, 
though  it  is  fometimes  eaten  through  neecllity. 

The  MINK  is  of  the  otter  kind,  and  ftd^dtft'i  In 
the  fame  manner.  In  fhiipe  and  fize  it  rcfemLles  a 
pole-cat,  being  equally  long  and  lleiuh  r.  Iir,  fi;in  is 
blacker  than  that  of  an  ctrcr,  or  nlintfl  any  other 
creature  *,  **  as  black  as  a  mink,"  being  a  proverbia! 
exprellion  in  America  ;  it  is  not  however  fc  vr.luable, 
though  this  greatly  depends  on  the  feafon  in  whieli 
it  is  taken.  Its  tail  is  round  like  that  of  a  fnnke,  hut 
growing  flattKh  towards  the  eiiil,  and  is  entindy  with- 
out hair.  An  agreeable  muficy  fccnt  exhaks  from 
»  its  body  •,  and  it  is  m.et  with  near  the  fourccs  of  rivers 
on  whofe  banks  it  chiefly  lives. 

OP  THE  BIRDS. 

THE  Eagle,  the  Ilavvk,  the  Ki>:Ki  ll.c.vk,  the  1  ilh 
Hawk,  the  Whippervvill,  the  Kavcn.  the  C'kv-,  the 

Owl, 


'  t 


1 


•#'^:: 


%-    ^    n'V, 


.^.^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


■  4  5 


I.I 


M    |25 
2.2 


US 

^    U£.    Ill  2.0 


L25  iU  11.6 


^f- 


«5^ 


/A 


7 


^> 


'/ 


/^ 


Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


'^ 


p.  4^ 


s\ 


^ 


2  68 


CARVER  s  TRAVELS. 


Owl,  Parrots,  the  Pelican,  the  Crane,  the  Stork,  the 
Cormorant,  the  Heron,  tlieSwan,  the  Goofe,  Ducks, 
Teal,  the  Loon,  the  Water-Hen,  the  Turkey,  the 
Heath  Cock,  the  Partridge,  the  Quail,  Pigeons,  the 
Snipe,  Larks,  the  Woodpecker,  the  Cuckoo,  the  Blue 
Jay,  the  Swallow,  the  Wakon  Bird,  the  Black  Bird,i 
the  Red  Bird,-the  Thrufli,  the  Whetfaw,  the  Night-, 
ingale,  the  King  Bird,  the  Robin,  the  Wren,  and  the' 
Humming  Bird. 

The  EAGLE.  There  are  only  two  forts  of  eagles 
in  thefc  parts,  the  bald  and  thcgrey,  which  are  much 
the  fame  in  fize,  and  Cmilar  to  the  (hape  of  thofe  of 
other  countries. 

The  NIGHT  HAWK.  This  bird  is  of  the  hawk 
fpecies,  its  bill  being  crooked,  its  wings  formed  for 
l\viftnff«,  and  its  Ihape  nearly  like  that  of  the  com- 
mon hawk  i  but  in  lize  it  is  confiderably  lefs,  and  in 
■j*-:^lor  rather  darker.  It  is  fcarccly  ever  fcen  but  in 
xbe  evening,  when  at  tlie  approach  of  twilight,  it  flics  i 
about,  and  darts  itft  Tin  wanton  gambol*  at  the  head 
of  the  belared  traveller.  Before  a  thundtr-lliowcr 
thefe  birds  ajp  feen  at  an  amazing  height  in  the  air 
afltfmbled  together  in  great  numbers,  asfwallows  are 
obfer^ed  t.ojda  oii  tiir  lame  occaficn. 

The  WlllPPERWILL,  or,  as  it  is  termed  by  the 
Indians,  the  Muckawits'.  This  extraordinary  bird  is 
fomevvhat  like  the  laft  mentioned  in  its  fliape  and  co- 
lor, only  it  has  fome  whitifh  ftripes  acrofs  the  wingSj 
and  like  that  is  feMom  ever  feen  till  after  fnn-fct.  It 
alfo  is  never  met  with  but  during  the  fpring  and 
fummer  months.  As  foon  as  the  Indians  are  inform- 
ed by  its  notes  of  its  return,  they  conclude  that  the 
froft  is  entirely  gone,  in  which  they  are  feldom  de- 
ceived ;  and  on  receiving  this  afl'urance  of  milder 
v/eather,  begin  to  fow  their  corn.  It  acquires  ito 
name  by  the  noife  it  makes,  which  to  the  people  of 
the  colonies  founds  like  tlie  name  they  give  it,  Whip- 
per-will  i  to  an  Indian  ear,  Muck-a-wifs.  I'he  words, 

it 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


269 


Ducks, 
^ey,  the 
)ns,  the 
the  Blue 
:k  Bird, 

Night- 
and  the 

>f  eagles 
|re  much 
thofe  of 

he  hawk 
mcd  for 
he  com- 
and  in 
11  but  in  l; 
t,  it  flics  ^ 
the  head 
i*-lliowcr  . 
11  the  air  f 
lows  are 

d  by  the 
f  bird  is 
and  co- 
^  wings, 
i-fet.    It 
ing  and 
in  form- 
hat  the 
lorn  de- 
mildtr 
jires  itc 
opic  of 
Whip- 
words, 
it 


I 


f» 


it  is  true,  arc  not  alike,  but  in  this  manner  they  flrlke 
the  imagination  of  each  5  and  the  circumftantc  is  a 
proof  that  the  fame  founds,  if  they  are  not  rendered 
certain  by  being  reduced  to  the  rules  of  orthography, 
might  convey  difTercnt  ideas  to  dilfcrent  people.  As 
foon  as  night  comes  on,  thefe  birds  will  place  thcm- 
felves  on  the  fences,  flumps,  or  ftones  that  lie  near 
fome  houfe,  and  repeat  iheir  melancholy  notes  with- 
out any  variation  till  midnight.  The  Indinns,  and 
fome  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  back  fettlcments,  think 
if  this  bird  perches  upon  any  houfe,  that  it  betokens 
fome  mifliap  to  the  inhabitants  oi'  it. 

The  FiSH  HAWK  greatly  refemblcs  the  latter  in 
its  fliape,  and  recei^/es  his  name  from  his  food,  which 
is  generally  filh  j  it  ikims  over  the  lakes  and  rivers 
and  fcmctimes  iecms  to  lie  expanded  on  the  water,  as 
he  hovers  fo  clofe  to  it,  and  having  by  fome  attractive 
power  dravv'n  the  fiili  within  its  reach,  darts  fudden- 
ly  upon  tlicm.  The  charrn  it  makes  ufe  of  is  fuppt;!- 
cd  to  be  an  oil  contained  in  a  fmall  bag  in  the  body, 
and  which  nature  has  by  fome  means  or  other,  fu^:- 
].lied  him  with  the  power  of  ufnig  for  tills  pu.rpofe  ; 
it  is  however  very  certain  ♦^hat  any  bait  touched  with 
a  drop  of  the  oil  colic(rted  from  this  bin}  is  an  irrciif- 
tible  lure  for  all  forts  of  fifli,  and  infurcs  the  angler 
great  fucccfs. 

The  OWL.  The  only  fort  of  owls  that  is  found 
on  the  banks  of  the  Miffifippi  is  extremely  beautiful  iu 
3ts  plumage,  being  of  a  fine  deep  yeUow  or  gold  co- 
lor, pkafingiy  (haded  and  fpotted. 

The  CRANE.  There  is  a  kind  of  a  crane  in  thcfc 
parts,  v/liich  is  called  by  Father  Hennipin  a  peiican, 
that  is  about  the  lize  of  the  European  crane,  of  u 
greyidi  color,  and  with  long  leas;  but  this  fpecies 
ciifrlrsfrom  all  others  in  its  bill,  which  is  about  twelve 
inches  long,  and  one  inch  and  an  half  broad,  of  which 
breadth  it  continues  to  the  end,  M-hcre  it  is  blunted, 
and  round  like  a  paddle  ;  its  tongue  is  of  the  fiune 
kneth.  Y  -i  DUCKS 


a74 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


DUCKS.  Among  a  variety  of  wild  ducks,  tic 
•liflerent  fpecies  of  which  amount  to  upwards  of  tweL- 
ty,  I  (hall  confine  my  defcription  to  one  fort,  that  is, 
the  wood  duck,  or,  as  the  French  term  it,  Canard 
Branchus.  1  his  fowl  receives  its  name  from  its  fre- 
quenting the  voods  and  perching  on  the  branches  of 
irees,  which  no  other  kind  of  water  fowl  (a  charad^cr- 
iftic  that  thi-  It  1  preferves)  is  known  to  do.  It  is 
nearly  of  a  fize  with  other  ducks  j  its  plumage  is 
beautifully  variegated,  and  very  brilliant.  The  flefli 
of  it  alfo,  as  it  feeds  but  little  on  fifh,  is  finely  flavour- 
ed, and  much  fuperior  to  any  other  fort. 

The  TEAL.  I  have  already  remarked  in  my  jour- 
nal, that  the  teal  found  on  the  Fox  River  and  the 
head  branches  of  the  MiflTifippi,  are  perhaps  not  to 
be  equalled  for  the  fatnefs  and  delicacy  of  their  flelh 
by  any  other  in  the  world.  In  colour,  fliape,  and 
lize  they  are  very  little  different  from  thofc  found  in 
other  countries. 

The  LOON  is  a  water  fowl,  fomewhat  lefs  than  a 
teal,  and  is  a  fpecies  of  the  dobchick.  Its  wings  are 
(liort,  and  its  legs  and  feet  large  in  proportion  to  the 
body;  tl)e  color  of  it  is  a  dark  brown,  nearly  ap- 
proaching to  black  }  and  as  it  feeds  only  on  fifh,  the 
Jlefh  of  it  is  very  ill  flavoured.  Thefe  birds  are  exceed- 
ingly nimble  and  expert  at  diving,  fo  that  it  is  almoft 
impoffible  fcr  one  perfon  to  fhoot  them,  as  they  wiH 
dextroufly  avoid  the  fliot  by  diving  before  they  reach 
them  i  fo  thar  it  requires  three  perfons  to  kill  one  of 
them,  and  this  can  only  be  done  the  .noment  it  raifes 
its  head  ouf  o!:  the  water  as  it  returns  to  the  furfacc 
after  diving.  It  however  only  repays  the  tioubleta* 
ken  to  obtain  it,  by  the  excellent  fport  it  affords. 

The  PARTRIDGE.  Tlicre  are  three  forts  of  par- 
tridges here,  t  le  biown,  the  red,  and  the  black,  the 
firft  of  which  is  molt  efteemeJ.  They  are  all  mucR 
larger  than  the  European  partridges,  being  nearly  the 
fize  of  »  hen  pliesiff^nt  ^  tlieir  head  and  eyes  are  alfa 

like 


r: 


f." 


fine  red 

uoife  tl 

tured  hi 

The 

the  Euri 

top  of  i 

raifed  o 

neck  be 

and  the 

the  low 

blue  j  t 

\y  tind 

other 

in  an  el 

fcarceb 

inhabit 

jetting 

far  mo 

ine 

dians, 

of  par; 

five  of 

have  f 


I 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


ijf 


s,    ll,C 
tvveh- 
lat  is, 
Janard 
ts  frc- 
les  of 
atler- 
It  is 
age  is 
leflefh 
avour- 


like  that  bird,  and  they  have  all  long  tails,  vhich  they 
fpread  like  d  fan,  but  not  ereft ;  but  contrary  to 
the  cuftom  of  thofe  in  other  countries,  they  will  perch 
on  the  branches  of  the  poplar  and  black  birch,  on  the  & 
buds  of  which  they  feed  early  in  the  morning  and  in 
the  twilight  of  the  evening,  during  the  winter  months,, 
when  they  are  eafily  (hot. 

The  WOOD  PIGEON  is  nearly  the  fame  as  ours, 
and  there  are  fuch  prodigious  quantities  of  them  on 
the  banks  of  the  Miffifippi,  that  they  will  fometimes 
darken  the  fun  for  feveral  minutes. 

The  WOODPECKER.  This  is  a  very  beautiful 
bird  J  there  is  one  fort  whofe  feathers  are  a  mixture 
of  various  colors ;  and  another  that  is  brown  all  over 
the  body,  except  the  head  and  neck,  which  are  of  a 
fine  red.  As  this  bird  is  fuppofjdto  make  a  greater 
uoife  than  ordinary  at  particular  times,  it  is  conjee-- 
tured  his  cries  then  denote  rain. 

The  r>LUE  JAY.  This  bird  is  fhaped  nearly  like 
the  European  jay,  only  that  its  tail  is  longer.  On  the 
top  of  its  head  is  a  creft  of  blue  feathers,  which  is 
raifed  or  let  down  at  pleafure.  The  lower  part  of  the 
neck  behind,  and  the  back,  are  of  a  purplilh  color, 
and  the  upper  fide  of  the  wings  and  tail,  as  well  as 
the  lower  part  of  the  back  and  rump,  are  of  a  fine 
blue  ;  the  extremities  of  the  wings  are  blackiHi, faint- 
ly tin£lured  with  dark  blue  on  the  edges,  whilft  the 
other  parts  of  the  wing  are  barred  acrofs  with  black 
in  an  elegant  manner.  Upon  the  whole  this  bird  can' 
fcarcely  be  exceeded  in  beauty  by  any  of  the  winged- 
inhabitants  of  this  or  other  climates.  It  has  the  fame 
jetting  motion  that  jays  generally  have,  and  its  cry  is 
far  more  pleafing. 

The  WAKON  BIRD,  as  it  is  termed  by  the  In- 
dians, appears  to  be  of  the  fame  fpecies  as  the  birds 
of  paradife.  The  name  they  have  given  it.  i^  expref- 
five  of  its  fuperior  excellt^nce,  and  the  veneration  they 
huve  for  it  j  the  vvakon  bird  being  in  their  language 

the 


^:  W 


m 


■If 
■if 


i-JZ" 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


the  bird  of  the  Great  Spirit.  It  is  nearly  the  fize  of 
a  fwallow,  of  a  brown  colour,  Hiadcd  about  the  neck 
with  a  bright  green  ;  the  wings  are  of  a  darker  brown 
than  the  body  ;  its  tail  is  compofed  of  four  or  five 
feathers,  which  are  three  times  as  long  as  its  body, 
and  v/hich  are  beautifully  (haded  with  green  and  pur- 
ple. It  carries  this  fine  length  of  plumage  in  the  fame 
manner  as  a  peacock  does,  but  it  is  not  known  wheth- 
er it  ever  raifes  it  into  the  ere£t  pofition  that  birds 
fometimes  does.  I  never  faw  any  of  thefe  birds  in  the 
colonies,  but  the  Naudoweflie  Indians  caught  fevenu 
of  them  when  I  was  in  their  country,  and  feemed  to 
treat  them  as  if  they  were  of  a  fuperior  rank  to  any 
other  of  the  feathered  race. 

Tlie  BLACK  BIRD.  There  are  three  forts  of 
birds  in  North-America  that  bear  this  name  ;  the  firfi: 
is  the  common,  or  as  it  is  there  termed,  the  crovv- 
black  bird,  which  is  quite  black,  and  of  the  hme  fizc 
andihape  of  thofe  in  Europe,  but  it  has  not  that  me- 
lody in  its  notes  which  they  have.  In  the  month  of 
September  this  fort  fly  in  large  flights,  and  do  great 
milchief  to  the  Indian  Corn,  which  is  at  that  time 
juft  ripe.  The  fecond  fort  is  the  red-wing,  which  is 
rather  fmaller  than  the  firft  fpecies,  but  like  that  it  is 
black  all  over  its  body,  except  on  the  lower  rim  of 
the  wings,  where  it  is  of  a  fine,  bright,  full  fcarlet.  It 
builds  its  neft,  and  chiefly  reforts  among  the  fmail 
bufiies  that  grow  in  meadows  and  low,  fwampy  pla- 
ces. It  whiftles  a  few  notes,  but  is  not  ccjual  in 
its  fongtothe  European  blackbird.  The  third  fort  is 
of  the  fame  fize  as  the  latter,  and  is  jet  black  like 
that  but  all  the  upper  part  of  the  win;.;,  jufl  below  the 
back,  is  of  a  fine  clear  white  ^  as  if  nature  intended 
to  diverfify  the  fpecies,  and  to  attone  for  the  want  of 
a  melodious  pipe  by  the  beauty  of  its  plumage  ;  for 
this  alf*is  deficient  in  its  mufical  powers.  The 
beaks  of  every  fort  are  of  a  full  yellow,  and  the  fe- 
males ofcachof  a  rudy  black  like  the  European. 

The 


f1' 


m 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


*73 


The  RED  BIRD  is  about  the  fize  of  a  fparrow, 
but  with  a  long  tail,  and  is  all  over  of  a  bright  Ver- 
million color.  I  favv  many  of  them  about  theOttawaw 
Lakes,  but  I  could  not  learn  that  they  fung.  I  alfo 
obferved  in  fome  other  parts  a  bird  of  much  the 
fame  make,  that  was  entirely  of  a  fine  yellow. 

The  WHETSAW  is  of  the  cuckoo  kind,  being 
like  that,  a  folitary'bird,  and  fcarcely  ever  feen.  In 
the  futtimer  months  it  is  heard  in  the  vroves,  where 
it  makes  a  noife  like  the  filing  of  a  faw,  from  which 
it  receives  its  name. 

The  KING  BIRD  is  like  a  fwallow,  and  feems  to 
be  of  the  fame  fpecies  as  the  hhqk  martin  or  fwift. 
It  is  called  the  King  Birdbeciiufe  it  is  able  tomafter 
almoft  every  bird  that  flies.  I  have  often  feen  it  bring 
down  a  hawk. 

The  HUMMING  BIRD.  Th-s  beautiful  bird, 
which  is  the  fmalleft  of  the  feathei  d  inhabits J.ts  of 
the  air,  is  about  the  third  part  of  th'.  fize  of  a  wren, 
and  is  fhaped  extremely  like  it.  It;  legs,  which  are 
about  an  inch  long,  appear  like  two  fmall  ne(  v-J.es, 
and  its  body  is  proportionable  to  them.  But  its  plu- 
mage exceeds  defcription.  On  its  head  it  has  a  Imall 
tuft  of  j  tty,  fhining  black  ;  the  brcaft  of  it  is  red, 
the  belly  white,  the  back,  wings,  and  tailof  thefineft 
pale  gretn  ;  and  fmall  fpecks  of  gold  are  fcattered 
with  inexprelfiblc  grace  over  the  whole  ;  befides  this, 
an  almoft  impreceptiblc  down  foftens  the  colors,  and 
produces  the  moft  pleafing  (hades.  With,  its  bill, 
which  is  of  the  fame  diminitive  fize  as  the  other  parts  of 
its  body, it  extra£^s  from  the  flowers  a  moifture  which 
is  its  nourilhment  *,  over  thefe  it  hovers  like  a  bee,  but 
jiever  fights  on  them,  moving  at  the  fame  time  its 
wings  with  fuch  velocity  that  the  motion  of  them  is 
imperceptible  j  notwithftanding  which  they  make  a 
humming  noife,  from  whence  it  receives  its  name. 


l^'  I 


!■ 


Q» 


2  74 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


of  the  fishes  which  are  found  in  7he 
Waters  of  the  Mjssisiffi,  • 

I  have  already  given  a  difcription  of  thofe  that  are 
taken  in  the  great  lakes. 

The  Sturgeon,  the  Pout  or  Cat  Fifli,  the  Pike,  the 
Carp,  and  the  Chub. 

Ihe  STURGEON.  The  frtfh  water  fturgeon  is 
fliaped  in  no  other  refpcft  hke  thofe  taken  near  the 
fca,  except  in  the  formation  of  its  head  and  tail  j 
which  are  fafliioned  in  the  finie  manner,  but  the  bo- 
dy is  not  fo  angnjated,  nor  are  there  fo  many  horny 
fcales  about  it  as  on  the  latter.  Its  length  is  general- 
ly about  two  feet  and  a  half  or  three  feet  long,  but 
in  circumference  not  proportionable,  being  a  flender 
filh.  The  flelh  is  exceedingly  delicate  and  finely  fla- 
voured ;  I  caught  fome  in  the  head  waters  of  the  riv- 
er St.  Croix  that  far  exceeded  trout.  The  manner 
of  taking  them  is  by  watching  them  as  they  lie  un- 
der the  banks  in  a  clear  dream,  and  darting  at  them 
with  a  fifh-fpear ;  for  they  will  not  take  a  bait.  There 
is  alfo  in  the  Miilifippi,  and  there  only,  another  fort 
than  the  Ipecies  I  have  d«"fcribed,  which  is  fimilar  to 
it  in  every  refpeft,  except  that  the  upper  jaw  extends 
fourteen  or  fifteen  iriches  beyond  the  under ;  this 
extenfive  jaw,  which  is  of  a  griflly  fubftance,  is  three 
inches  and  a  half  broad,  and  continues  of  that  breadth, 
fomewhat  in  the  fliape  of  an  car,  to  the  end,  which 
is  flat.  The  flefh  of  this  ffh,  however,  is  not  to  be 
compared  with  the  other  fort,  and  is  not  fo  much  ef- 
teemed  even  by  the  Indians. 

The  CAT  FISH.  This  flfli  is  about  eighteen 
inches  long  ;  of  a  brownifh  color,  and  without  kales. 
It  has  a  large  rcmd  head,  from  whence  it  receives 
its  name,  on  different  parts  of  which  grows  three  or 
four  flrong,  fharp  horns  about  two  inches  long.  Its 
£ns  are  alfo  very  bony  and  Ihong,  and  wiihottt  great 

care 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


s,. 


275 


^, 


jc.'.rc  will  pierce  tlie  hands  of  thofe  who  take  them. 
It  weighs  commonly  about  five  or  fix  pounds  j  the 
flcfh  of  it  is  cxceffively  fat  and  lufcious,  and  greatly 
rtfembles  that  of  an  ell  in  its  flavor. 

The  CARP  and  CHUB  arc  much  the  fame   as 
thofe  in  Kngland,  and  nearly   about   the  fame  fize. 

Oi'  SERPENTS. 

The  Rattle  Snake,  the  Long  Black  Snake,  the 
Wall  or  Houfe  Adder,  the  Striped  or  Garter  Snake, 
the  WattT  Snake,  the  HiflingSnake>  the  GreenSnake, 
the  Thorntai!  Snake,  the  Speckled  Snake,  the  Ring 
Siiake,  the  Two-headed  Snake. 

The  RATTLE  SNAKE.  There  appears  to  he 
two  fpecies  of  this  reptile;  one  of  which  is  com- 
monly termed  the  Black,  and  the  other  the  Yellow  ; 
and  of  thefe  the  latter  is  generally  confidercd  as  the 
largeft.  At  their  full  growth  th^y  are  upwards  of 
five  feet  long,  and  the  middle  part  of  the  body,  at 
which  it  is  of  the  greatefl  bulk,  meafures  about  nine 
inches  round.  From  that  part  it  gradually  decreafes 
both  towards  the  head  and  the  tail.  The  neck  is 
proportionably  very  fmall,  and  the  head  broad  and 
deprefled.  Thefe  arc  of  a  light  brown  color,  the  i- 
ris  of  the  eye  red,  and  all  the  upper  part  of  the  body- 
brown,  mixed  with  a  ruddy  yellow,  and  chequerd 
with  many  regular  lines  of  a  deep  black,  gradually 
fhading  towards  a  gold  color.  In  Ihort  the  whole  of 
this  dangerous  reptile  is  very  beautiful,  and  could  it 
be  vicv/cd  with  lefs  tenor,  fuch  a  variegated  arrange- 
ment of  colors  would  be  extremely  pleafing.  But 
thefe  are  only  to  be  feen  in  their  higheft  perfeftion 
at  the  time  this  creature  is  animated  by  refentment  ; 
then  every  tint  rufhcs  from  its  fubcutaneous  recefs, 
and  gives  the  furface  of  the  ikin  a  deeper  (tain.  The 
belly  is  ot  a  palifh  blue,  which  grows  fuller  as  it  ap- 
proaches tlie  fides,  and  is  at  length  intermixed  witli 

the 


■K'f, 


t| 


<'■ 


I  H 


"SJiii 


,276 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


the  cplor  of  the  upper  part.     The  rattle  at   its  tail, 
from  which  it  receives  its  name,  is  compofed  of  a 
.firm,  dry,  callou8,or  horny  fubftanceof  a  light  brown, 
and  conlifts  of  a  number  of  cells  which  articulate  one 
within  another,  like  joints ;  and  which  increafe  eve- 
ry year,  and  make  known  the  age  of  the  creature. 
Thefe  articulations  being  very   loofe,    the  included 
points  ftrike  cgainft  the  inner  furllice  of  the  concave 
parts  or  rings  into  which  tkey  are  admitted,   and  as 
the  fnakc  vibrates,  or  fhakes  its  tail,  makes  a  rattling 
noife.     This  alarm  is  always  given  when  it  is  appre- 
henfive  of  danger ;  and  in  an  inftant  after  forms  itfelf 
into  a  fpiral  wreath,  in  the   centre  of  which  appear 
tlie  head  ere£l,  and  breathing  forth  vengancc  againft 
either  man  or  beaft  that  fliall  dare  to  come  near  it. 
In  this  attitude  he  awaits  the  approach  of  his    ene- 
mies, rattling  his  tail  as  he  fees  or  hears  them  coming 
on.     By  this  timely  intimation,  which  heaven  f-^ems 
to  have  provided  as  a  means  to  counteradl  the  mif- 
chief  this  venomous  reptile  would  otherwife  be  the 
perpetrator  of,  the  unwary  traveller  is  apprifed  of  his 
danger,  and  has  «n  opportunity  of   avoiding   it.     It 
is  however  to  be  obferved,  that  it  never  a£^s    offen- 
fivcly  •,  it  neither  purfues  nor  flies   from    any    thing 
that  approaches  it,  but  lies  in  tbe  pofition   defcribcd, 
■rattling  his  tail,  as  if  reluttant  to  hurt.      The  teeth 
with  which  this  fcrpcnt  ctle£ls  his  poifonous  purpo- 
fes  arc  not  thole  he  nnikes  ufe  of  on  ordinary   occa- 
fions,  t>iey  are  only  two  in  number,  very   fjnall   rmd 
iharp  ^-ointed,  and  fixed  in  a  finewy    fubftance   that 
lies  iieir  the  extremity  of  the  upper  jaw,  rereuibllng 
;the  ^i  iws  of  a  cat;  at  the  root  of  each  of  th^-^fc,  might 
be  extended,  contra 6led,  or  entirely  hi  Am,  as  need 
.requires,  are  two  fmall  bladders  v.'hich  nature  has  fo 
■condrudted,  that  at  the  fame  inftant    an  incifion    is 
made  by  the  teeth,  a  drop  of  a  <j;reeni(h,  poifonous  li- 
qui(^  mtcrs  the  wound,  and  taints  with  its  deftruc- 
tive  quality  the  whole  mafs  of  blood.    In  a  moment 

the 


imong 
eg,  abo 
luring  2 
ner,  its 
liate  ap 
/idence 
Ac  Snak 
Ton  of  t 
»ver  th( 
everal < 
ts  bite: 
)fthc  M 
:ious  ei 
md  if  a 
be  waft 
fat  of  t\ 
to  be  V€ 
perfons 
thefe;  a 
they an 
ful  fym 
lation. 


CAP  VSR'S  TRAVELS. 


•77 


its  tail, 
"ed  of  a 
t  brown, 
ilate  one 
?afe  eve- 
:rcature. 
included 
concave 

and  as 
I  rattling 
s  appre- 
ms  itfelf 
I  appear 
:  againft 
near  it. 
lis   ene- 

coming 
;n  r^ems 
the  mif- 

be  the 
td  of  his 

it.  It 
5  ofFen- 
ly  thing 
ifcribcd, 
'he  teeth 
s  purpo- 
ly  oc ca- 
nal i  -Mid. 
ice  that 
femblliig 
*c,  might 
as  need 
re  has  fo 
cifion  is 
Dnous  li- 

deftruc- 

moment 

the 


^, 


he  unfortunate  vidim  of  its  wrath  feels  a  chilly  trc- 
nor  run  through  all  his  frame  ;  a  fwcUing  immccli- 
itely  begins  on  the  fpot  where  the  teeth  had  entered, 
vhich  fpreads  by  degrees  over  the  whole  body,  and 
iroduces  on  every  part  of  the  fkin  the  variej^atcd 
me  of*the  fnake.     The  bite  of  this  reptile  is  more  or 
■.'i!(|  venomous,  according  to  the  f^lwJn  of  the  year 
n  which  itjs  given.  In  the  dog  days,  it  often  prove."; 
'nftantly  mortal,  and  efpecially  if  the  wound  is  made 
imong  :he  finews  fituated  in  the  back   part   of  the 
eg,  above  the 'heel ;  but  in  the  fpring,  in  autumn,  or 
luring  a  cool  day  which  might  happen  in  the  fum- 
ner,  iti  bad  effe£ls  are  to  be  prevented  by  the  immc- 
liate  application  of  proper  remedies  ;  and  thefe  Pro- 
;idence  has  bounteoufly  fupplied,  by  caufing  the  Rat- 
de  Snake  Plantain,  an  approved  antidote  to  the  poi- 
fon  of  this  creature,  to  grow  in  great  profulion  where 
;ver  they  are  to  be  met  with.     There  arc   ftkewifc 
everal  other  remedies  befides  this,  fer  the  venom  of 
ts  bite.     Adecoftion  is  made  of  the  buds  or  barjj 
)f  the  white  afti,  tak-en  internally,  prevents  its  pernr- 
:iou8  cffedls.     Stilt  is  a  newly   difcovered  remedy^ 
md  if  applied  immediately  to  the  part,  or  the  wound 
be  waflied  with  brine,  a  cure  might  be  aflured.    The 
fat  of  the-  reptile  alio  rubbed  on  it,  is  frequently  found 
to  be  very  efficacious.     But  though  the  lives  qi^lhe 
perfons  ^ho  have  been  bitten  might  be  preferv^l  by 
thefc;  and  their  health  in  fome  degree  feftored,  yet 
they  annually  experience'a  flight  returii^?!  the  dread- 
ful fymtcms  about  the  time  they  received  the  inftil- 
lation.     However  remarkable  it  may  appear,  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  though  the  vtnom  of  this  creature  afte£l3, 
in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree,  all  animated  nature,  the 
hog  is  an  exception  to  the  rule,  as  that  animal  will 
readily  deftroy  them  without   dreading  their    poi- 
fonous  fangjs,  and  fatten  on  their  flefh.      It  has  been 
often  obferved,  and  I  'can  confirm   the  cbfcrvation, 
that  tlve  Rattle  Snake  is  charmed  with  any  harmoni- 

Z  0U4 


.-t 


278 


CARVKKP.'i  TVRVLS. 


ous  founds,  whether  vocal  or  inflrumcntal ;  I  have 
nvAny  times  ftcn  them,  even  when   they  have  been 
enraged,  plaee  ihemfclvcs  in  a  liltenini;  pofturc,  and 
continue  immoveably  atteniive  and  iulctptlble  of  de- 
light all  the  time  the  mufie  has  lallctl.    lihould  have 
remarked,  that  when  the  Rattle  wSnakc  bites,  it  drops 
itsnnder  jaw,  andholding  the  upper  jawere^Jt,  throws 
itfelf  in  a  curve  fine,  with  great  force,  and  as   quick 
as  lightning,  on  the  obje6l  of  its   refontment.     In  a 
moment  after,  it  returns  again  toitsdefenfive -poflure 
having  difengaged  its  teeth  from   the   wound   with 
j;reat  celerity,  by  means  of  the  polition  in    which  it 
had  placed  its  head  when  it  made  the  attack*    It  ne- 
ver extends  itfelf  to  a  greater  diflancc  than  half   its 
length  will  reach,  and  though  it  fometimes  repeats 
the  blow  two  or  three  times,  it  as  often  returns  with 
a  fuddcn  rcbourid  to  its    former  ftalfc.     The   Black 
Rattle  Snake  differs  in  no   other  refpecl    from   the 
"Yellow,  than  in  being  rather  fmaller,  and  in  the  va- 
riegation of  its  colours,  which  are  exactly  ifeverfed  : 
one  is  black  where  the  other  is  yellow,  and  vice  verfa. 
They  are  equally  venomous.     It  is  not  known   hovr 
thefe  creatures  engender  ;  I  have  often   found   the 
eg^s  of  feveral  other  fpecies  of  the  fnake,  but  notwith- 
flanding  no  one  has  taken  more  pains   to   acquire  a 
^lerfecl  knowledge  of  every  property  of  thefe  reptiles 
than  myfelf,  I  never  could  difcover   the  m  amer  in 
which*they  bring  forth  tlieir  young.     I  o;ice  killed  a 
female  that  had.  fcventy  young  ones  in  irs  belly,    but 
thefe  were  perifeclly  formed,  and  I  faw  them  juft  be- 
fore retire  to  the  mouth  of  their  mother,  as  a  place 
of  fecurity,  on  my  approach.     Th:;  gali  oftliii  Icr- 
pcnt,  mixed  witkchalk,  are  formed  into  little  balls, 
and  exported  from  America,  for  medical    purpofes. 
"They  are  of  the  nature  of  Gafcoign's  powders,    and 
an  excellent  remedy  for  complaints  incident  to  chil- 
dren.    The  tleih  of  the  fnake  alfo   dried,  and  made 

into 


CARVER'S  TKAVELS.  z-« 

intooroth,  Is  much  more  nntritive  tlinn  that  of  .vi- 
pers, ami  very  efluacious  af?;anff  confumptions. 

The  LONG  DLACK SN Ai;K.  'ihclc  art^alfo  of 
two  forts,  both  of  which  arc  exactly  fimilar  inlhiinc 
and  fize,  only  the  Ijelly  of  one  is  a  light  red,  the  oili- 
er a  faint  blue  ;  all  the  upper  parts  of  their  bodies; 
are  black  and  fcaly.  They  are  in  general  from  fix  to 
eight  feet  in  length,  and  carry  their  heads,  as  they 
crawl  along,  about  afoot  and  an  half  from  tlie  ground. 
They  i^afdy  climb  the  highoit  trees  in  purfuit  of  bird-; 
tind  fquirrels,  vhich  are  their  chief  food  j  and  tlicfc, 
It  is  faid,  they  charm  by  their  locks,  and  rcnJcr  in- 
capable of  efeaping  from  them.  Their  appearance 
carries  terror  wiihit  to  thofe  wl.o  are  unacquainted 
with  their  inability  to  hurt,  but  they  are  perfectly  in- 
offenfive  and  free  from  venom.       _  ^ 

The  STRIPED  or  GARTER  ^AKE,  Is  exacl^ 
ly  the  fr.me  a8  that  fpecies  found  in  other  climsttr.. 

The  ^  ATER  SNAKE  is  much  like  tlie  Rattle 
Snake  in  fliape  and  fize,  hut  is  not  endowed  with  ihe 
fame  venomous  powers,  being  quite  liarmlelf. 

The  HISSING  SNAKE  t  have  ahtn.ly  particu- 
"  larly  defcribcd,  when  I  treated,  in  my  journal,  cf 

"The  GREEN  SNAKE  is  about  a  foot  and  an  naif 
long,  and  in  color  fo  near  to  grafs  and  herbs,  that  it 
cannot  be  difcovcred  as  it  lies  on  the  ground  •,  hap- 
pily, however,  it  is  free  from  venom,  otnerwife  it 
would  do  an  infinite  deal  of  niifchief,.as  thofe  who 
pafs  through  the  meadows,  not  being  able  to  perceive 
it,  are  deprived  of  the  power  of  avoiding  it. 

The  THORN-TAIL  SNAKE.  This  reptile  Is 
found  in  many  parts  of  America,,h|it  it  iy  \ery  feldcm 
to  be  feen.  It  is  of  a  middle  fizei  and  receives  its 
name  from  a  thorn-lik^  dart  in  its  tail,  with  which  it 
is  faid  to  infli£l  a  rnoiLal  wound. 

The  SPECKLED  SNAKE  is  an  aqu  us  reptile 
•about  two  feet  and  an  half  in  length,      .t  without 


','11 


,11 


M 


venom. 


28o 


CARVER'S  TRAVZLb^i 


I'm 

i'vi 


I 


venom.  Its  flcin  which,  is.  brown  and  whiielfvi'ith 
fome  fpots  of  yellow  in  it,  is  iifed  bjr  the  Americans 
as  a  cover  for  ^he  handles  of  whips,  and  it  renders 
them  very  pleafing  to  the  fight.       * 

The  RING  SNAKE  is  about  twelve  inches  long ; 
'''the  body  of  it  is  entirely  black,  except  a  yellow  ring 
which  it  haf,  about  its  neck,  and  which  appears  like 
a  iiqrrow  piece  of  riband  tied  round  it.  This  ocUi 
reptile  is  frequently  found  in  the  bark  of  trees  and 
among  old  logs.  * 

The  TWO-HEADED  SNAKE.  The  only  fnake 
of  this  kind  that  was  ever  iccn  in  x^merica,  was  found 
■^kbout  the  year  1762,  ne?r  Lake  Champlain,  by  Mr. 
Park,  a  gentleman  of  New-England,  and  made  a  pre- 
fent  to  Lord  Amherft.  It  was  about  a  foot  long,  and 
in  fliape  like  the  common  fnake,  but  it  was  furnifl^ied 
with  two  heads  Exactly  fimilar,  whidHf.  united  at  the 
neck.  Whether  this  was  a  diftindl  fpecies  of  fnakes, 
and  was  :ible  to  propagate  its  likenefs,  or' whether  it 
wis  an  accidental*tormation,  I  know  not. 

The  TORTOISE  or  LAND  TURTLE.  The 
i*iape  of  this  creature  is  fo  well  known  that  it  is  un- 
necclTirv  to  defcribe  it.  There  are  {even  or  eight 
forts  or.hcni  in  Anicvica,  fome  of  which  arebcautiJ 
fully  virieg.itcd,  even  beyond  defcription.  The  {l^.elld 
of  mai:y  have  fpots  of  red,  green,  and  yellow  in  them, 
and  the  chequer  work,  is  compofed  of  fmall  fquarei^ 
cujioufl^'difpofed.  The  mod  beautiful  fort  of  theft} 
■clfatures  are  the  fmalleft,  and  the  bite  of  theniiifaiU 
10.  be  venomous. 

LIZJRDSy  iSf:.       ■ 

Though  there  jre  numerous  kinds  of  this  clafs  oJ 
•the  animal  cieatllfl,  in  the  vountry  I  treat  of,  J  dial) 
only  take  notice  of  two  of  them  ;  which  are  |ermed 
the  Swift  and  Slow  Liz^.rd. 

The  SWIlT  LIZARD  is  about  fix  inches-  long> 
and  has  four  logs  and  a  tail.     Its  body,  which  is  blue^ 

IS     4 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


;8i 


lericans 
renders 


IS  long ; 
|w  ring 
|ars  like 
ns  o(J«l 
;s  and 

found 
>y  JNIr. 

apre- 
'gj  and 
niflied 
at  the 
nakes, 
tlier  it 

The 
is  un- 
eight 

>eautiJ 

:  fliellij 

them, 

luared 

is  fai(| 


xCi  oi 

fl:ali 

rmcd 

ong> 
is 


^0- 


13  prettily  ilriped  uiih  dark  lines  fliaded  with  yel- 
low ;  but  the  end  of  the  tail  is  totally  blue.  It  is  fo 
remarkably  agile,  that  in  an  inftant  it  is  out  of  fight, 
nor  can  its  mo]^ement  be  perceived  by  the  quickeP: 
eye ;  fo  that  it  might  more  juftly  be  faid  to  vanifti, 
than  to  run  away.  ThiS  fpecies  are  fuppofed  to  poi- 
fon  thofe  they  bite,  but  are  not  dangerous,  as  they  ne- 
ver attack  perfons  that  approach  them,  chufing  ra- 
ther to  get  fuddenly  out  of  their  reach. 

Tht  SLOW  LIZARD  is  of  the  fame  fliape  as  the 
Swift,  but  its  color  is  brown  j  it  is  mcieove'r  cf  an 
oppofite  difpofitlon,  being  altogether  as  flew  in  itj 
movements  as  the  other  is  fwift.  It  is  remarkable 
that  thefe  lizards  are  extremely  brittle,  and  will  brealc 
off  near  the  tail  as  eafily  as  an  icicle. 

Among  the  reptiles  of  North-Air.erica,  there  's  a 
fpecies  of  the  toad,  termed  the  TREE  TOAD,  which 
is  nearly  of  the  fame  fliape  as  the  com  men  lort,  but 
fmaller  and  with  larger  cluws.  It  is  ufually  found  on 
trees,  flicking  clofe  to  the  bark,  or  laying  in  the  cre- 
vices of  it ;  and  fo  nearly  does  it  refemble  the  color 
of  the  tree  to  which  it  cleaves,  that  it  is  with  difiicul- 
ty  difl:ingu*.(hed  from  it.  1  hefe  creatures  are  only 
hp?.:d  during  the  twilight  of  the  morning  and  evening, 
or  juft  before  and  after  a  flicwer  of  rain,  when  they 
make  a  croaking  noife  fomcwhaf  fliriller  than  that  of 
a  frog,  which  might  be  heard  to  a  great  dift;:nce. 
They  infeft  the  woods  in  fuch  numbers,  that  their 
refpom:ve  notes  at  thefe  times  make  the  air  refour^i. 
Xt  is  only  a  fummer  animal,  and  never  to  be  found 
during  the  winter.  i 

.    INSECTS. 

The  interior  pnvts  of  North- America  itbound  with 
nearly  the  fame  infecls  as  are  met  with  in  the  fame 
parallels  of  latitude  ;  and  the  fpecies  of  them  are  i'o 
numerous  and  diverlified  that  even  a  fuccin^!^  defcrip- 

Z  2,  '  lion 


2  82 


CARVER'i  TRAVELS. 


tion  of  the  whole  of  them  would  fill  a  volume  i  I 
{\^  therefore  coniine  myfelf  to  a  few,  which  I  be- 
lieve are  alnaoll  peculiar  to  tins  country ;  the  Silk 
Worm,  the  Tobacco  Worm,  the  Bee,  the  Lightnino- 
Bug,  the  Water  I  ug,  and  ^e  Horned  Bua. 

The  SILK  W.  RM  is  nearly  the  rame  Js  thofe  of 
France  and  Italy,  but  Mill  not  produce  the  fame  vjuan- 
titv  of  filk. 

The  TOBACCO  WORM  is  a  caterpillar  of  the 
flze  ard  figure  of  a  filk  worm,  it  is  of  a  line  fca  green 
color,  on  its  rump  it  has  a  Iling  or  horn  near  a.  quar- 
ter of  an  inch  long. 

The  BEES,  in  America,  principally  lodge  their  ho- 
ney in  the  earth  to  fccure  it  from  the  ravages  of  the 
bears,  who  are  remarkably  fond  of  it. 

The  LIGHTNING  BUG  or  FIRE  FLY  is  about 
the  fize  of  a  bee,  but  it  is  of  the  beetle  kind,  having 
Uke  that  infe6l  two  pair  of  wings,  the  upper  of  w  aicli 
are  of  a  firm  texture,  to  defend  it  from  danger. 
When  it  flies,  and  the  wings  are  expanded,  there  is 
under  thefe  a  kind  of  coat,  conlhudlcd  alfo  like  wing?, 
which  is  luminous  ;  and  as  the  irifed:  palVes  on,  caufeb 
all  the  hinder  part  ot  its  body  to  appear  like  a 
bright  fiery  coal.  Having  placed  one  of  them  on 
your  hand,  the  under  part  only  ihines,  and  throws 
the  light  on  the  fpace  beneath ;  but  as  foon  as  it 
fpreads  its  upper  wings  to  fly  away,  the  whole  body 
which  lies  behind  them  appears  illuminated  all  around. 
The  light  it  gives  is  not  conllantly  cf  the  fame  mag- 
nitude, even  when  it  flies  j  but  feems  to  depend  on 
the  expanfion  or  contraftion  of  the  luminous  coat  or 
wings,  and  is  very  different  from  that  emitted  in  a 
dark  night  by  dry  wood  or  fome  kinds  of  lilh,  it  hav- 
ing much  more  the  appearance  of  real  fire.  They 
leem  to  be  fenfibliS'of  the  power  they  are  poflefled  of, 
and  to  know  the  moil  fuitable  time  for  exerting  it, 
as  in  a  very  dark  night  they  are  much  more  nume- 
rous than  at  anyotltcr  tinie.  'iliey  arc  oulyfc^n  during 

the 


CARVER'S  TRAVELi. 


2«3 


the  fummer  months  of  June,  ^uly,  and  Auguft,  and 
then  at  no  other  time  but  in  the  flight.  ,  Wlictto 
from  their  cp,lp,r,  which  i$  a  duiky  brown,  they  are  not 
then  difcernible,  or  from  their  retiring  to  holes  and 
crevices,  I  Icnow  ^ot,  hut^tJxey  are  never  tpbc  diiiiovr 
^red  in  the  day.    They  chiefly  are  feen  in  low  fwam- 
py  land,  and  appear  like  innumerable  tranfient  gleams 
of  light.     In  dark  nights  when  there  is  much  lightn- 
ing without  ra^in,  they  feem  as  if  they  wilhcd  either 
to  imitate  or  affiil  the  fiaflies  ;  for  during  the  inter- 
val^, they  a,re  uncommonly  agile,  and  endeavour  to 
.  throw  out  every  ray  they  can  coUe<ft.     Notwithlland:- 
jng   this  efJuIg.ent  appearance,   thefc  infedU  are  per" 
fe<Stly  harmlcfs,  you  may  permit  them  to  cravi'l  upon 
your  hand,   when  five  or  fix,  if  they  freely  exlilbit 
their  glow  together,  will  enable  you  to  read  ah. oft 
the  fmalleft  print. 

The  WATER  BUG  is  of  a  brown  color,  about 

the  fize  of  a  pea,  and   in  ftiape  'nearly  oval ;   't  has 

many  legs,  by  means  of  which  it  pafies  over  the  fur- 

.  face  of  the  witer  witl^uch  incredible  fwiftnefs,  that 

it  feems  to  Aide  or  dart  itfeif  along. 

The  HORNLD  BUG,  or  as  it  is  Sometimes  term- 
ed the  STAG  BEETLE,  is  of  a  dufky  brown  color 
nearly  approaching  to  black,  about  an  inch  and  an 
half  long,  aiid  half  ;»n  inch  broad.  It  has  tvvro  large 
horns,  which  grow  on  each  fide  of  the  head,  and  meet 
horizontally,  and  with  thefe  it  pinches  very  hard  i 
they  are  branched  like  thofe  of  a  flag,  from  whence, 
it  receives  its  name.  'Ihey  fly  about  in  the  evening, 
znd  prove  very  troublefome  to  thofe  who  are  in  th-^ 
fields  at  tha:  tim^. 

I  mull  not  cina  that  the  LOCUST  is  a  fcptennial 
infe^l,  as  they  are  only  feen,  a  fmall^umber  of  flrag- 
glers  excepted,  every  feven  years,  "«^en  they  infeft 
theie  parts  and  the  interior  colonies  in  large  fvvarms, 
nnd  do  a  great  deal  of  mifchief.  The  years  Vv'hen 
they  thus  arrive  are  denominated  the  locuft  years. 

CHAPTER  XiX. 


*3 


:fl     ■' 


''hi 


9P 


f*f 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


CHAPTER     XIX. 


rH£  TREES,  SHRUBS,  ROOTS,  HERBS^ 
FLOWERS,  (s-r. 


I 


SHALL  here  obfcrvc  the  fame  method  that 
r  have  purfued  in  the  preceding  chapter,  and  having 
given  a  lift  cf  the  trees,  &c.  which  are  natives  of  the 
interior  parto  of  North  America,  particularize  fuch 
only  as  differ  from  the  produce  of  other  colihtries,  or, 
being  little  known^  have  not  been  dcferibed. 

6P  TREES,  ., 

"  The  Oak,  the  Pine  Tree,  the  Maple,  the  Afli,  the 
Hemlock,  the  Bafs  or  "White  Wood,  the  Cedar,  the 
Elm,  the  Birch,  the  Fir,  the  Locuft  Tree,  the  Poplar, 
the  Wickopic,  or  t)uckwic>  Jjhc  Sprufccj  the  Horn- 
beam, and  the  Button  Wood  'l^ee. 

The  OAK.  There  are  feVeral  forts  of  oaks  in  thefe 
parts  ;  the  black,  the  white,  the  red,  the  yellow,  the 
grey,  the  fwaixp  oak,  and  the  chefnut  oak:  the  five 
former  vary  but  little  in  their  external  appearance,the 
fhape  of  the  leaves,  and  the  color  of  the  baric  being 
fo  much  alikeipthat  they  are  fcarcely  didinguifhable  ; 
but  the  bodv'i^the  tree  when  fawed  difeovers  the  va- 
riation, whidh  chiefly  confifls  in  the  cokr  of  the 
wood,  they  being  all  very  hard,  and  proper  for  build- 
ing. The  fwamp  oak  differs  materially  from  the  oth- 
ers both  In  the  fhape  of  the  leal,  which  is  fmaller,  and 
in  the  bark,  which  is  fmoother  j,  and  likewife  as  it 
grows  only  in  a*fnoift,  gravelly  foil.  It  is  efteemed 
the  tougheft  of  all  woods,  being  fo  ftrong  yet  pliable, 
that  it  is. often  made  ufe  of  inftead  of  whalebone,  and 
is  equally  ferviceable.  1  he  chefrut  oak  alio  is  great- 
ly ^ifSsrent  from  the  others,  paniculariv  in  the  iliapc 

#  of 


CARVER'S  TRAVEL'S.- 


285 


^£RSS, 


hod  that 
d  having 
es  of  the 
ize  fuch 
tries,  or> 


Afli,  the 
Jdar,  the 
J  Poplar, 
ic  Horn- 

;  in  thcfe 
low,  the 
the  five 
ance,the 
fk  being 
iHiable ; 
s  the  va- 
r  of  the 
r  build- 
the  oih- 
ller,  and 
fe  as  it 
[teemed 
pliable, 
ne,  and 
s  great- 
e  111  ape 
of 


of  the  leaf,  which  much  refemblcs  that  of;  the  dilf- 
nut-trec,  and  for  this  reafon  is  fo  denominated.  It 
is  neither  fo  ftrong  as  the  former  fpecies,nor  fo  tough 
»s  the  latter,  but  xS  of  a  nature  proper  to  be  fplit  in- 
to rail*  for  fences,  in  which  ftate  it  will  endure  a 
confiderable  time. 

The  PINE  TREE.  That  fpecies  of  the  pine  tree 
peculiar  to  this  part  of  the  continent,  is  the  white, 
the  quality  of  which  I  need  not  defcribe,  as  the  tim- 
ber of  it  is  fo'Well  known  under  the  name  of  deals. 
It  grows  |icre  in  great  plenty,  to  an  amazing  height 
and  fizc,  alid  yields  an  excellent  turpentine,  though 
not  in  fuch  quantities  as  thofe  in  the  northern  parts 
ofEui'ope. 

The  MAPLE.  Of  this  tree  there  are  two  forts, 
the  hard  and  the  foft,  both  of  which  yield  a  lufciou^ 
juice,  from  which  the  Indians,  by  boiling,  make  very 
good  fugar.  The  fap  of  the  former  is  much  richer 
and  fweeterthan  the  latter,  but  the  foft  produces  a 
greater  quaiftity.  THpwood  of  the  hard  maple  is  ve-» 
ry  beautifully  veined  and  curled,  and  when  wrought 
into  cabinets,  tables,  gunftocks,  &c.  is  greatly  valued, 
l^at  of  the  foft  fort  difiers-in  its  texture,  wanting 
the  variegated  grain  of  the  hard  j  it  alfo  grows  more 
ftraight  and  free  from  branches,  and  is  more  eafily 
fplit.  It  likewife  may  be  diftinguifhcd  from  the  hard, 
as  this  grows  in  meadows  and  lovv-lands,  that  on  the 
hills  and  uplands.  The  leaves  are  (haped  alike,  but 
thofe  of  the  foft  maple  are  much  the  large  ft,  and  of  a 
deeper  green; 

The  ASH., 'There  are  feveral  forts  of  ihis  tree  in 
thefe  parts,  but  that  to  which  1  fhall  confine  my  de- 
feription,  is  the  yellow  afli,  which  isjonly  found  near 
me  head  branches  of  the  MifBfippi.  This  tree  grows 
to  an  amazing  height,  and  the  body  of  it  is  fo  firm 
and  found,  that  the  French  traders  wlio  go  into  that 
country  from  Louifiana,  to  purchafe  Turs,  make  of 
them  periagua^s »  this  (hey  ^io  by  ei^cMrating  them 


it  / 


t  > 


iS6 


«y 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS* 


^  fire,  and  when  they  arc  completed,  convey  in  thcwt 
the  produce  ot  their  trade  to  New-Orleans,  wl  ere 
they  find  a  good  market  both  for  their  vcffels  and 
cargoes.     The  wood  of  this  tree  greatly  refembles 
that  of  the  common  afh  ;  but  it  might  be  diftinguifh- 
cd  from  any  other  tree  by  its  bark  ;  the  rofs  oroutfide 
bark  being  near  eight  inches  thick,  and  indented  with 
furrows  more  thaii  Hx  inches  deep,  which  make  thofe 
that  are  arrived  to  a  great  bulk  appear  uncommonly 
rough;  and  by  this  peculiarity  they  may  be  readily 
known.     The  rind  or  infide  bark  is  of  the  fame  thick- 
ncfs  as  that  of  other  trees,  but  its  color  is  a  fine  bright 
yellow,  infomuch  that  if  it  is  but  flightly  handled,  it 
will  leave  a  ftain  on  the  fingers,  which  cannot  eafily 
lie  waihed  away  i  and  if  in  the  fpring  you.peel  off  the 
bark,  and  touch  the  fap,  which  then  lifes  between 
^that  and  the  body  of  the  tree,  it  will  leave  fo  deep  a 
tin£l:ure  that  it  will  require  three  or  four  days  to  wtar 
it  ofi^".     Many  ufeful  qualities  belong  to  this  tree,  I 
doubt  not  will  be  difcovere(?^  time,  beiides  its  prov- 
U\s  a  valuable  acquifition  to  the  dyer. 

The  HEMLOCK  TREE  grows  in  every  part  of 
America,  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree.  It  is  an  ever- 
green of  a  very  large  growth,  and  has  leaves  fome- 
what  like  that  of  the  yew  ;  it  is  however  quite  nfe- 
lefs,  and  only  an  incumbrance  to  the  ground,the  wood 
being  of  a  vety  coarfe  grain,  and  full  of  wind-lhakes 
-fjr  cracks. 

The  BASS  or  WHITE  WOOD  is  a  tree  of  a  mid- 
dling  fize,  and  the  whiteft  and  fofteft  wood  that 
grows  i  when  quite  dry  it  fwims  on  the  water  like  a 
€ork  ;  in  the  fettlements  the  turners  make  of  it  bowls, 
Irencherr,  and  diflies,  which  wear  fmooth,  and  will 
Ifift  a  long  time  ;  but  when  applied  to  any  other  pu;- 
poie  it  is  far  from  durable. 

The  WICKOPICK  or  SUCKWIK  appears  ito  be 
»  fpccies  of  the  white  wood,  and  is  diftinguiflied 
ii^m  it  by  k  fsmMlm,  <|ualky  io^e  h^ih,  whiqh  whea 

^  poKindcdj 


"^ 


y?; 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


2S7 


founded,  and  moiftencd  with  a  little  water,  Inftantlm 
becomes  a  matter  of  the  confiftence  and  nature  of  fizd 
With  this  the  Indians  pay  their  canoe.%  and  it  great- 
ly exceeds  pitch,  or  any  other  material  ufually  appro- 
priated to  tliat  purpofe  ;  forbefide^  its  adhcfive  qual- 
ity, it  is  of  fo  oiiy  a  nature,  that  th?  -A'ater  cannot  pen- 
etrate through  it,  and  its  repelling  power  abates  not  for 
A  conddcrable  time. 

The  BUTTON  WOOD  Is  a  tree  of  the  largeft 
fize,  and  ipight  be  diftinguilhed  by  its  bark,  which  is 
quite  fmooth  and  prettsly  mottled.  The  wood  is  ve- 
ry proper  for  the  ufe  of  c  iblnet-makcrs.  It  is  cover- 
ed with  fmall  hard  burs  v/hichlpring  from  its  branches, 
that  appear  net  ualike  buttoifs,  and  from  thcfe  it 
receives  its  name. 


■m 


NUT  TREES. 


The  Butter  or  Oil  Nnt,  the  Walnut,  the  Hazel 
Nut,  the  Beech  Nut,  ijbe  Pecan  Nut,  the  Chefnut, 
the  Hickory. 

The  BUTTER  or  OIL  NUT.  As  no  mention 
has  been  made  by  any  author  of  this  nut,  I  fliall  be  the 
more  particular  in  my  account  of  it.  The  tree  grows 
in  meadows  where  the  foil  is  rich  and  warm.  The 
body  of  it  feldom  exceeds  a  yard  in  circumference,  is 
full  of  branches,  the  twigs  of  which  are  Ihort  and 
blunt,  and  its  leaves  refemble  thofe  6f  the  walnut. 
The  nut  has  a  fliell  more  likcthat  fruit|; which  when 
ripe  is  more  furrowed,  and  more  eafily  cracked  ;  it  is 
alio  much  longer^and  largey  than  a  walnut,  and  con- 
tains a  greater  qu;nulty  of  kernel,  which  is  very  oiiy, 
and  of  a  rich,  agreeable  flavour.,  I  am  perfuaded  tliat 
a  much  purer  oil  than  that  of  olives  might  be  extra£t- 
ed  from  this  nut.  The  inftde  bark  of  this  tree  dyes  a 
good  purple  ;  and  it  is  fiid,  varies  in  its  (hade,  being 
either  darker  or  lighter,  according  to  the  month  in 
which  it  is  gathered. 


*'i 


f::=": 


^- 


288 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


The  BEECH  NUT.  Though  this  free  grdws  cic-» 
a^ly  like  that  of  the  fame  name  in  Europe,  yet  it 
produces  nuts  equally  as  good  as  chefnuts  j  on  which 
bears,  martins,fqairrcls,  partridges,  turkies,  and  many 
other  birds  and  bcafts  feed.  The  nut  is  contained, 
whilfl  growing,  in  an  outHde  cafe,  like  that  of  a  chef- 
nuf,  but  not  ib  prickly  ;  and  the  coat  of  the  infide 
fheil  isalfo  fmooth  like  that }  only  its  form  is  nearly 
triangalar.  Vail  quantities  of  them  lie  fcattered  a- 
bout  in  the  woods,  and  fupply  with  food  great  num- 
bers of  the  creatures  juft  mentioned.  The  leaves, 
which  are  white,  continue  on  the  trees  during  the 
whole  winter.  A  decoftion  made  of  them  is  a  cer- 
tain anJcxpcditious.cupcfor  wounds  which  arife  from 
turning  or  fcalding,  as  well  as  a  reftorative  for  thofc 
members  that  are  nipped  by  the  froft. 

.  The  PECAN  NUT  is  fomcwhat  of  the  walnut 
kind,  but  rather  fmaller  than  a  walnut,  being  about 
the  fize  of  a  middle  acorn,  and  of  an  oval  form  ;  the 
Ciell  is  eafily  cracked,  and  the  kernel  fhaped  like  that 
of  a  walnut.  This  tree  grows  chiefly  near  the  Illi- 
rpis  River. 

The  HICKORY  is  alfo  of  the  walnut  kind,  and 
bears  a  fruit  nearly  like  that  tree.  There  are  feveral 
ibrts  of  them,  which  vary  only  in  the  color  of  the 
wood.  Being  of  a  very  lou^j^h  nature,  the  wood  is 
generally  ufed  for  the  handles  of  axes,  &c.  It  is  al- 
fo very  good  fire-wood,  and  as  it  burns,  an  excellent 
■fugar  diitils  itom  it.        ^ 


.  J.I* 


FRUIT  TREE^. 


«^ 


I  need  not  to  obferve  that  thcfe  are  all  the  fponta- 
ncous  produ6J:ions  of  nature,  which  have  neverreceiv- 
ed  the  advantages  of  ingrafting,  tranfplanting,  or  ma- 


nuring. 


The  Vine,  the  Mulberry  Tree,  the  Crab  Apple 
Tree,  the  Plum  Tree,  the  Cherry  Tree,  and  the  Sweet 
Cum  Tree.  The 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


289 


IT' 


The  VINE  k  very  common  here,  and  of  three 
kinds  ',  the  firft  fort  hardly  defcrves  the  name  of  a 
grape  ;  the  fecond   much  refcmbles  the  Burgundy 

pe,  and  if  expofed  to  the  fun  a  good  wine  might 
be  made  from  them.  The  third  lort  refemblcs  Zant 
currants,  which  are  fo  frequently  ufed  in  cakes.  &c. 
in  England,  and  if  proper  care  was  taken  of  them, 
would  be  equal,  if  not  fuperior,to  thofe  of  that  coun- 
try. 

The  MULBERR  Y-TREE  is  of  two  kinds,  red  and 
white,  and  nearly  of  the  fame  fize  of  thofe  of.France 
^lid  Italy,  and  grow  in  fuch  plenty,  as  to  feed  any 
i|uantity  of  filk  worms. 

The  CRAB  APPLE  TREE  bears  a  fruit  that  is 
much  larger  and  better  flavoured  than  thofe  of  Eu- 
rope. 

Thfe  PLUM  TREE.  There  are  two  forts  of 
plums  |n  this  country,  one  large  fort  of  a  purple  caft 
4an  one  fide,  and<red  on  the  reverfc,  the  fecond  total- 
ly green,  an*cl  much  fmaller.  Both  thefe  are  of  a 
good  flavor,  and  are  greatly  eflieended  by  the  Indians, 
whofe  tafte  is  not  refined,  but  who  are  fatisfied  with 
the  produ£l:ions  of  nature,  in  their  unimproved  ftate. 

The  CHERRY  TREE.  There  are  three  forts  of 
cherries  in  this  country  ;  the  black,  the  red,  and  the 
fand  cherry  ;  the  two  latter  may  with  more  proprie- 
ty be  ranked  among  the  ihrubsi,as  the  bufh  that  bears 
the  fand  cherries  almoft  creeps  aloi|g  the  ground, 
and  the  other  rifes  not  above  eight  or  ten  feet  in 
height ;  however,  I  fliall  give  an  account  of  them  in 
this  place.  The  black  cherries  are  about  the  fize  of 
a  currant,  and  hang  in  clufl;ersj  like  grapes ;  the 
trees  which  bear  theih^  being  very  fruitful,  they  are 
generally  loaded,  but  thcfrui^  Is  not  good  to  eat, 
however  they  give  an  agreeable  flavor  to  brandy,  and 
turn  it  to  the  color  of  claret.  The  red  cherries  grow 
in  the  greateft  profufion,  and  hang  in  bunches,  like 
the  black   fort  juft   defcribed  j  fo  that  the  bufiies 

A  a  which 


i . 


m 

1  ,    1 

m 

H^'^fl 

'k 

:i 

Wo 

■ 

\>       ' 

■  i 

w 

'•1 

1 

■'Mr.' 

ayo 


CARVER'S  TRAVEi^S. 


which  bear  them  appear  at  a^  diftanci|,Hkc  folid  bo- 
dies of  red  matter.     Some  pcopU  admire  this  fruit, 
but  they  partake  of  the  nature   and  tafte   of  alum, 
leaviiig  a  difagrecivblc   voughnefs   in  the  throat,  and 
being  very  altringent.     As  1  have  already  dcfcribed 
the  fand  cherries,  which  greatly  exceed  the  two  other 
forts,  both  in  flavor  and  lize,  1  fliall  give  no  farther 
defcription  of  them.     The  wood  of  tlic  black  cherry, 
tree  is  very  ufeiul,and  works  well  into  cabinet  ware. 
The  5WEET  GUM  TREE  or  LIQUID  AM- 
BER (Copalni)  is  not  only  q;{tremcly  common,  but 
it  affords  a  balm,  the  virtues  ^of  which  are  infinite,  ' 
Its  bark  is  black  and  hard,  and  its  wood   fo  tender 
and  fupple,  that  when  the  tree  is  felled,  you  may 
draw  from  the  middle  of  it  rods  of  five  or  fix  feet  in 
length.     It  cannot  be  employed  in  building  or  fur- 
niture, as  it  warps  continually,     its  leaf  is  ioAwited 
with  five  points,  like  a  ftar.     This  balm  is  reckoned  . 
by  the  Indians  to  be  an  excellent  febrifuge,  and  it  ^, 
cures  wounds  in  two  or  three  days.  '    ■ 

SHRUB  $,. 

The  Willow,  Shin  Wood,  Shumack,  Saflafras, 
the  Prickly  Afh,  Moofe  Wood,  Spoon  Wood,  Large 
Elder,  Dwarf  Elder,  Poifonous  Elder,Juni per,  Shrub 
Oak,  Sweet  Fern,  the  Laurel,  the  Witch  Hazle,  the 
Myrtle  WaX^J^ree,  Winter  Green,  the  Fever  Br.lh, 
the  Cranberry  feufh,  the  Goofeberry  Bufli,  the  Cur- 
rant Bufh,  the  Whirtle  Berry,  the  Rafberry,  the 
Black  Berry,  and  the  C&blk  jBerry. 

ThbWILLO^^*'  There"  are  feyeral  fpecies  of. 
the  willow,  the  mdft  remarkable  of  which  is  a  fmall 
fort  that  grows  on  the  banks  of  tlie  Mlflifippi,  and 
and  fome  other  places  adjacent.  The  hark  of  this 
fhrub  fupplies  the  beaver  with  its  winter  food  ;  and 
where  the  water  has  waflicd  the  foil  from  its  roots, 
tlxey  appear  to  confifl  of  fibres  interwoven  together 

like 


^^■^ 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


291 


5(1  bo- 
fruit, 
Jalum, 
Jt,  and 
fcribed 
other 
farther 
:herry, 
ware. 
AM- 


Hkc  thread,  the  color  of  which  is  of  auincxprcfTibly 
fine  fcarlet  ;  with  this  the  Indians  tinge  many  of 
the  ornamental  parts  of  their  dreft;. 

SHIN  WOOD.  This  extraordinary  flirub  grows 
in^  the  forefts,  and  rifing  like  a  vine,  runs  near  the 
ground  for  fix  or  eight  feet,  and  then  takes  root  a- 
gain  j  in  the  fame  manner  taking  root,  and  fprinf- 
ing  up  fucceffivelyi  one  ilalk  covers  a  ir.rge  fpuce  -, 
this  proves  very  trouVlcfomfc  to  the  ha  fly  traveller, 
by  llriking  againft  hisiliins,  and  entangling  his  legs  j 
from  which  it  has  acquired  its  name. 

Ihe  .tSAiSSAFRAS  is  a  uocd  well  known  for  its 
medicinal  qualitiHs.  It  migh<^  with  equal  propriety 
be  termed  a  tree  as  a  flirub,  as  it  fomctimes  urows 
thirty  feet  high;  but  in  general  it  docs  net  reach 
higher  than  thofe  of  the  ILrub  kind.  The  leaves, 
which  yield  an  agreeable  fragrance,  are  large,  and 
nearly  feparated  into  three  divillons.  It  bears  a  red- 
difh  bro\*'n  berry,  of  the  fize  and  Ihape  of  Pimento, 
and  which  is  fometimes  uf^d  in  the  colonies  as  a  fub- 
flitute  for  that  fpice.  The  bark  or  roots  of  this  tree, 
is  infinitely  fuperior  to  the  wood  for  its  ufe  in  nvv^di- 
cine,  and  I  am  fiirprifed  it  is  fo  feldom  to  be  met 
with,  as  its  eiTicacy  is  fo  much  greater. 

The  PRICKLY  ASH  is  a  ihrub  that  fomctimes 
grows  to  the  height  of  ten  or  fifteen  feet,  and  has  a 
leaf  exactly  refembling  that  of  an  alh,  but  it  receives 
the  epithet  to  its  name  from  the  abundance  of  fliort 
thorns  with  which  every  branch  is  covered,and  which 
renders  it  very  troublefoimc  to  thofe  who  pafs  thro* 
"die  fpot  where  they- grow  thick.  It  alio  bears  a 
fcarlet  berry,  wJxlcK  when  ripe,  has  a  fiery  tafte,like 
pepper.  .  Th^lv^xk  of  tjhis  tree,  particularly  the  bark 
of  the  ,rdots,>i-|s  highly  efteemed  by  the  natives  fcr 
ih  mei3icina|jiS^)itie'8.^^'  I  have  already  mentioned 
one  inl|a^ce  of  its  efficacy,  and  there  is  no  doubt 
b  ut  t%t  iliie  decoftion  of  if'Xvill  expediticufly  and  ra- 
dically remove  all  impurities  of  the  blcod.  • 

The 


f,^- 

i 


m 


2()l 


CARVER'*  TRAVKLS. 


The  IMOOSE  WOOD  grows  about  four  lecfs 
high,  and  is  very  full  of  branchts  ;  but  what  renders 
it  worth  notice,  is  its  bank,  which  is  ot  fo  ftionjjr 
and  pliable  a  texture,  that  being  peeled  oil' at  a uy 
fcafon,  and  twilled,  makes  equally  as  good  cordage 
as  hemp. 

The  SPOON  WOOD  is  a  fpccles  o^  the  laurel, 
and  the  wood  when  fawed  reicn>blcs  box  wood. 

The  ELDER,  commonly  tei-nied  the  poifonous 
elder,  nearly  refembles  the  other  forts  in  its  leaves  and 
branches,  but  it  grows  much  ftraighter,  and  is  only 
found  in  fwamps  and  moiu  foils.  Thisfhfi^b  is  en- 
dowed with  a  very  extraordinary  quality,that  render* 
it  poifonous  to  fomc  conftitutions,  which  it  affects 
if  the  perfon  only  approaches  within  a  few  yards  of 
it,  whilft  others  may  even  chew  the  leaves  or  the  rind 
without  receiving  the  leaft  detriment  from  them  : 
the  poifon,  however,  is  not  mortal,  though  it  ope- 
rates very  violently  on  the  infedled  perfon,  whofe 
body  and  head  fwell  to  an  amazing  lize,  and  are  co- 
vered with  eruptions,  that  at  their  height  refemble  the 
ionfluent  fmall  pox.  As  it  grows  alfo  in  many  of 
the  provinces,  the  inhabitants  cure  its  venom  by 
drinking  faffron  tea,  and  anointing  the  external  parts 
with  a  mixture  compofed  of  cream  and  marfli  mal- 
lows. 

The  SHRUB  OAK  is  exaaiy  iimilar  to  the  oak 
tree,  both  in  wood  and  leaves,  and  like  that  it  bears 
an  acorn,  but  it  never  riles  from  the  ground  above 
four  or  five  feet,  growing  crooked  and  knotty.  It 
is  found  chiefly  on  a  dry  grfveHy  foH.  ,  *»•.: 

The  WITCH  HA2LE  grows  very  btifhy,  about 
ten  feet  high,  and  is  covered  esitly  u^  May  with  nu^ 
merous  white  bloflbms.  When,"j^is  mrub  is  in 
bloom,  the  Indians  efleem'it  a  fuctber  indication 
that  the  froft  is  entirely  gone,  and  that  ihey  might 
fow  their'corn.  It  has  jbeen  faid,  that  it^^ipofleiTed 
of  the  power  of  attracting  gold  or  filvcr>  and  thjit 

twiga^^' 

an 


J¥|? 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


>W 


ft  long 
at  auy 
orcj.jgc 


twigs  of  it  arc  made  ufq  of  to  difcover  where  the 
veins  of  thefe  metals  lie  hid  ;  but  1  am  apprchcnfivc 
this  18  only  a  fallacious  ftcry,  and  not  to  be  depend- 
ed on  i  however  that  fuppofition  has  given  it  the 
name  of  Witch  Hazle. 

The  MYRTLE  WAX-TREE  is  a  (hrub  about 
four  or  five  feet  high,  the  leaves  of  which  are  larger 
than  thofe  of  the  common  myrtle,  but  they  fmell 
cxa£^ly  alike.  It  bears  ^its  fruit  in  bunches,  like  a 
nofegay,  rifmg  from  the  fame  place  in  various  ftalks, 
about  two  inches  long  :  at  the  end  of  each  of  thefe 
S8  a  little  nuty  containing  a  kernel,  which  is  wholly 
covered  with  a  gluey  fubftance,  which  being  boiidd  in 
water,  fwims  on  the  furface  of  it,  and  becomes  a  kind 
of  green  wax  ;  this  is  more  valuable  than  bees-wax, 
being  of  a  more  brittle  nature,  but  mixed  with  it 
makes  a  good  candle,  which  as  it  burns,  fends  forth 
an  agreeable  fcent. 

WINTER  GREEN.  This  is  an  ever  green,  of 
the  fpecies  of  the  myrtle, and  is  found  oniry  heaths; 
the  flowers  of  it  are  white,  and  in  the  form  of  a  rofe, 
but  not  larger  than  a  lllver  penny  ;  in  the  winter  it 
is  full  of  red  berries,  about  the  fi2e  of  a  floe,  which 
arc  frnooth  and  round  ;  thefe  are  preferved  during 
th^  fevere  feafon  by  the  fnow,  and  are  a,t  this  time  in 
the  higheft  perfection.  The  Indians  eat  thefe  ber^ 
ries,  elteeming  them  very  balfamic,  and  invigorating 
to  the  ftomach.  The  people  inhabiting  the  interior 
colonies  deep  both  the  fprigs  and  berries  in  beer, 
and  ufe  it  as  a  diet  drink  for  cieanfing  the  blood 
from  fcorbutic  difordcrs.      .  ^i^ 

ThCiEEVER  BUSH  groiJ|(p  about  five  or  fix  feet 
high  ;  its  leaf  is  like  that  of  a  lilach,  and  it  bears  a 
reddilh  berry  of  a  fpicy  flavor.  The  ftalks  of  it  arc 
exceflively  brittle.  Adeco£Hph  of  the  buds  or  wood 
IS  an  excellent  febrifuge,  anoTrom  this  valuable  pro- 
perty it  receives  its  name.,  ft  is  an  ancient  Indian 
lemcdy  for  all  inflammate#^' complaints,  and  likc- 

A  a  2  wife 


h 


i^J 


*^4 


•s  TRAVELS. 


X 

wife  much  efteemed  6n  tjie   fame  account,  by  tho 
inhabitants  of  the  interior  parts  of  the  colonies. 

The  CRANBERRY  BUSH.  Though  the  fruit 
of  this  b^lh  gratly  rcfemb^esirt  fize  and  appearance 
tliat  of  the  coHimon  fort  which  grows  on  a  fmall 
vine,  in  moralTes  and  bogs,  yet  the  bufli,  runs  to  the 
height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet  *,  but^t  is  very  rarely  to 
be  met  with.  "  As  thie  meadow  cranberry,  being  of  a 
local  growth,  and  flourilhtiig  only  in  morafT^i  can- 
not be  tranfplanted  or  cultivated,  the  former,  if  re- 
moved at  a  proper  feafon,  would  be  a  valuable  ac- 
quifition  to  the  garden^j.  and  with . jJ^per  nurture, 
prove  equally  as  good',  if  ngt  better. 

The  CHO  AK  BEHR  Y.  The  (hrub  thus  termed 
by  the  natives  giowf  about  five  ox  Qpn  feet  high,  and 
bears  a  berry  about  the  fizc  of  a  flgte,  of  a  jet  black, 
which  contains  feveral  ftijall  feeds  within  the  pulp.. 
The  juice  of  this  fi-uit,  tho*  not  of  a  difagreeable  fla- 
vor, is  extremely  tart,  and  leaves  a  roughnefs  iii  the 
mouth  and.throat  when  eaten,  that  has  gamed  itthe 
name  of  choak  berry..  .  * 

ROOTS  AND  PLANTS, 

Elecamparie,  Spikenard,  Angelica,  Sarfaparilla, 
Ginfang,  Ground  Nuts,  Wild'  Potatoes,  Liquorice, 
Snake  l^oot,  Gold  Thread,  Solomon's  Seal,  Devil's 
Bit,  Blood  Root,  Onions,  Garlick,  Wild  Parfnips, 
Mandrakes,  Hellebore  White  and  Black. 

SPIKENARD,  vulgarly  called  in  the  Colonics 
Petty-Morrel.  This  plant  appears  to-be  exa£lly  the 
fame  as  the  Afiatic  ^ikcnard,  fo  much  valued  by 
the  ancients.  It  grows  near  the  fides  of  brooks  in 
rocky  places,  and  its  ftcm  v/hich  is  about  the  fizeof 
a  goofe  quill,  fprings  i^p  like  that  of  angelica,  reach- 
ing about  a  foot  and  tin  half  from  the  ground.  It 
bears  bunches  of  berf  jes  in  all  refpetts  like  thofe  of 
the  elder,  only  rather  larger*    Thefg  are  of  fuch  \ 

baUamic 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


*9^f 


by  the 
lies. 

he  fruit 
earance 

a  fmall 
s  to  the 
arely  to 
ing  of  a 
JSi  can- 
if  re- 
able  ac- 
lurture, 

termed 
gh,  and 
t  black, 
le  pulp;;, 
able  fla- 
*s  in  the 
d  it- the 


pariila, 
[ijorice. 
Devil's 
irfnips, 

"clonics 
aiy  the 
!ued  by 
ooics  in 
fizeof 
reach- 
id.  It 
lofe  of 
fuck  i 
imic 


balfamic  nature,  that  when  infufed  in   fpirits,  they 
make  a  moil'  nal?.table  and  reviving  cordial. 

SARSAPARILLA.  The  root  of  this  ,%ntj^ 
which  is  the  moft  eftiraable  part  of  it,  is  about  the  - 
fize  of  a  goofe  quill,  and  runs  indifferent  dire£lions, 
twined  and  crooked  to  a  great  length  in  the  ground^, 
from  the  principal  ftem  of  it  fprings  many  fmaller  fi- 
bres, all  of  which  are  tough  and  flexible.  From  the 
root  immediately  (hoots  a  ftalfc  about  a  foot  and  an 
half  long,  which  at  the  top  branches  into  three  ftems; 
each  of  thefe  has  three  leaves,  much  of  the  (hape  and 
fize  of  a  walnut  leaf  •,  and  horn  the  fork  of  each  of 
the  three  fternsgrows^a  bunch  of  bluifh  white  flow- 
ers, referifibling  thpfe  of  the  fpikenard.  The  bark  of 
the  roots;  which  alone  fliould  be  ofed  in  medicincjis 
of  a  bitterifh  flavor  ^ut  aromatic,  it  is  defervedly  , 
efteemed  for  its  medicinal  virtues,  being  a  gentle  lu- 
dorific,  and  very  powerful  in  attenuating  the  bloody 
when  impeded  by  grofs  hiimojars.^ 

GINSANG  fff  a   root  that  was  once- fuppofed  io 
grow  only  in  KoTea^  from  wiisnce  it  was  ui'ually  ex- 
ported to  Japan,  and  by  that  mean^  found   its   way 
to  Europe  i  but  it  has  been  lately  "^difcovered  to  be' 
alfo  a  native ^3f;Ncrth-America,  where  it  grows  to 
as  great  perfection,  and  is  equally  vaiuable.     Tts  root 
is  like  a  Imall  carrot,  but   not    fo  tc'per  at  the  end  ;    .^^ 
it  is  fometin^es  divided   into  two  or  more  branches,^' 
in   all   other  refpe^ls  it  reiembles  fariaparilla,  in  its 
growth.     The  talle  of  the  root  is  bitteriili.     in  th^ 
eaftern  parts   of    Afia   it  bears  a  great  price,  being 
there  confidofed  as  a  panacea,  and  is  the  laft  refuge 
of  the  inhabHantsj^  ju  all  diforders.     When  chewed 
it  certainly  ia  a  greMftrertgthener  of  tiie  ftomacii. 

GOLD  THREAT).  This  is  a  nlant  of  the  fmall 
vine  kind,  which  grov/^^  in  fwampy  places,  and  lies 
on  the  ground.  The  roots  fpread  themfclves  juft 
under  the  furface  of  the  morafs,  and  are  eafiiy  drawn 
up  by  hi\adfui5.     They  refembie  ^  large  entangled 

ikaift 


*  'E 


1^6 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


r 


jBcain  of  thread,  of  a  fine,  bright  gold  color  5  and  I 
am  perfuaded  would  yield  a  beautiful  and  permanent 
yellow  dye.  It  is  alfo  greatly  cfteemed  both  by  the 
Indians  and  colonifts,  as  a  remedy  for  any  forenefs 
in  the  mouth,  but  the  rafte  of  it  is  exquifitely  bitter. 

SOLOMON'S  SEAL  is  a  plant  that  grows  on  the 
fides  of  rivers,  and  in  rich  meadow  land.  It  rifes  in 
the  whole  to  about' three  feet  high,  the  ftalks  being 
two  feet,  when  the  leaves  begin  to  fpread  themfelves 
and  reach  a  foot  fi.ither.  A  part  in  every  root  has 
an  impreffion  upon  it  about  the  fize  of  a  fixpence, 
which  appears  as  if  it  was  made  by  a  feal,  and  from 
thefe  it  receives  its  name.  It  is  greatly  valued  on 
account  of  its  being  a  fine  purifier  of  the  blood. 

DEVIL'S  BIT  is  another  wild  plant  which  grows 
in  the  fields,  and  receives  its  name  from  a  print  that 
feems  to  be  made  by  teeth  in  the  roots.  The  In- 
dians fay  that  this  was  once  an  univerfal  remctly  for 
every  diforder  that  human  nature  is  incident  to  ;  but 
fome  of  the  evil  fpirits  envying  mankind  the  pofl'ef- 
fion  of  fo  efficacious  a  medicine,  gave  the  root  a  bite, 
which  deprived  it  of  a  great  part  of  its  virtue. 

BLOOD  ROOT.  A  fort  of  plaiiitain  that  fprings 
out  of  the  ground  in  fix  or  feven  long  rough  leaves, 
the  veins  of  which  arc  red  ;  the  root  of  it  is  like  a 
fmall  carrot,  both  m  nolor  and  appearance  \  when 
broken,  the  infide  of  it  is  of?,  deeper  color  than  the 
cutCde,  and  dillils  feveral  drops  of  jnice,  that  look 
like  blood.  This  is  a  ftrong  emetic,  but  a  very  dan-» 
gerous  one. 

HERBsM 

Balm,  Nettles,  Cinqixt  Foil,  Eyehri^ht,  Sanicle, 
Plantain,  Rattle  Snake  Pla:|bin,  Poor  Robin's  Plan- 
tain, Toad  Plantain,  Maiden  HHlr,WiUl  Dock, Rock 
Liverwort,  Noble  Liverwort,  BIoodwort,WildBcans, 
Ground  Ivy,  WattfJr  Crefles^  Yarrow,  May  Weed, 

Gargit, 


Gargit, 
tonv,  S 
Wild  Ii 
SAN 
upper  p 
of  it  aK 
ihining 
height 
from  ki 
flowers 
A  tea  n 
RA1 
herb  is 
fpread  t 
and  an 
centre  < 
long,  w 
about  tl 
divided 
herb  ar 
for  the 
name  •, 
to  the  ^ 
dom  fa 
convini 
lible  ar 
liquor, 
drive  h 
that  d\ 
creatui 
in  its 
growtl 
P0( 
fpecies 
fped  •, 
land  c 
herb, 
aud  in 


CARVER'S.  TRAVELS, 


297 


^ 


$  and  I 

manent 

by  the 

forepefs 

y  bitter. 

on  the 

rifes  in 

:s  being 

mfeJves 

oot  has 

xpence, 

id  from 

ued  on 

id. 

1  grows 
int  that 
rhe  Jn- 
cc!y  for 
to ;  but 
poflef- 
t  a  bite^ 

fprings 
leaves, 
s  like  a 
;  when 
lan  the 
at  look 
ry  dan-» 


•anicle, 
sPlan- 
:,Rock 
Beans, 
Weed, 


Gargit,  Skunk  Cabbage  or  Poke,  "Wake  Robin,  Be- 
tony,  Scabious,  Mullen,  Wild  Pcafe,  Moufc  Ear, 
Wild  Indtgo,  Tobacco  and  CatMint* 

S  ANICLE  has  a  root  which  is  thick  towards  the 
upper  part,  and  full  of  fmall  fibres  below ;  the  leaves 
of  it  aje  broad,  roundiili,  hard,  fmoath,  and  of  a  fine 
(hining  green  ;  a  italic  rifes  from  thele  to  the 
height  ot  a  foot,  which  is  quite  fmopth  and  free 
from  knots,  and  on  the  top  of  It  ^f e  feveral  fmall 
llowers  of  a ir^ddifh  white,  fhaped  Hkca  wild  rofe. 
A  tea  made  of  the  root  is  vulnerary  kz^G  balfamic. 

RATTLE  SNAKE  PLANTAIN.  This  ufeful 
herb  is  of  the  plantam  kind,'  and  its  leaves,  which 
fpread  themfelves  on  the  ground,  are  about  one  inch' 
and  an  half  wide,  a\id  five  inches  long  •,  from  the 
centre  of  thefe  arifes  a  fmall  jllaik,  nearly  fix  inches 
long,  which  bears  a  little  white  flower  ;  the  root  is 
about  the  fixe  of  a  goofe  quUl,  and  much  bent,  and 
divided  into  feveral  branches.  The  leaves  of  this 
herb  are  more  efficacious  than  any  other  part  of  it 
for  the  bite  of  the  reptile  from  which  it  receives  its 
name  ;  and  being  chewed  and  applied  immediately 
to  the  wound,  and  fome  of  thf  juice  fwallowed,  fel- 
dom  fails  of  averting  every  dangerous  fymptom.  So 
convinced  are  the  Indians  of  the  power  ^f  this  iiifal- 
lible  antidote,  that  for  a  trifling  bribe  of  fpirituous 
liquor,  they  will  at  any  time  permit  a  rattle  fnake  to 
drive  his  fangs  into  tneir  flv^.Ti.  It  is  to  be  remarked 
that  during  thcfe  months  in  which  the  bite  of  thefe 
creatures  is  moft  venonjous,  that  this  remedy  for  it  is 
in  its  greatcil  perfe£tion,  and  moil  luxuriant  in  its 
growdi. 

POOR  ROBIN'S  PMINTMN  is  of  the  f^me 
fpecies  as  the  lailj  but  inoye  diminutive  in  every  re- 
ipciX  •,  it  receives  its  name  ftom  its  fize,  and  the  poor 
land  on  which  it  grows.  It  is  a  good  medicinal 
herb,  and  often  adminiilered  with.fuccefs  in  fevers 
and  internal  weaknei&s* 

TOAD 


,1 


2yt 


CARVER*s  TRAVELS':. 


TOAD  PLANTAIN  refembles  the  common  plan- 
'^'tain,  Qnly  it  grows  much  ranker,  and-is  thiis  denomi- 
nated, becaufetoads  love  to  harbor  under  it. 

ROCtC  I^iipiRWORT  is  a  fort  of  Liverwort 
that  grow$  on  rocks,  and  is  of  the  natuje«f)f  kelp  or 
mofs.  It'ia  efteenficd  an  excellent  remedy  againft 
declines.    ^''  " ':      '  * 

GARGIT  of'SKfeRE  is  a>  large   kind  ©f  weed, 
the  leaves  bf  ^ivjlikh  are   about   fix  inches  long,  and 
two  inches  al)d  ,!4n  half  broad  ;  they  refemble  thofe 
of  fpinaj^c  irtth^it.  color    and  texture,  but   not    in 
ihape.     The  root  is  very   large,  from  which  fpring 
different  ftalks  that  run  eight  or  ten  feet  high,  and 
are  full  of  red  berries  :  Thefe  hang  in  clufters  in  the 
month  of  September,  and  are  generally  called  pigeon 
berries,  as  thofe  birds  then  feed  on  them.     When 
the  leaves  firft  fpring  from  the  ground,  after  being 
boiled,  they  are    a  n'-'^itious  and  wholefome  vegeta- 
ble, but  when  they   are  grown  nearly  to   their  full 
fize,  they  acquire  a   poifonous    quality.     The  roots 
applied  to  the  hands  or  feet  of  a  perfon  affli£led  with 
a  fever,  prove  a  very  powerful  abforbent. 

SKUNK  CABBAGE  or  POKE  is  an   herb  that 
grows  in  moid  and  fwampy  places.     The  leaves  of; 
it  arc  about  a  foot  long,  and  fix  inches  broail,nearlyj 
oval,  but  rather  pointed.     The  roots  are  compofed] 
of  great  number  of  fibres,  a  lotion  of  which  is  made 
life  of  by  the  people  in  the  colonies  for  the  cure  ofl 
the  itch.     There  ifTues  a  flrong  mulky   fmell  from 
this  herb,  fomething  like  the  animal  of  the   fame 
name  Sefore  defcribcd^' and  on  that  account  it  is  fo 
termed. 

WAKE  R  OBIj^Jis  an  herb  that  grows  in  fwampy 
lands  i  its  ro  ot  fdfcmbles  a  fmall  tiirhip,  and  if  tail- 
ed will  greatl  y  infl^ttie  the  tongue,  a|l4  immediately 
convert  it  from  jts  natural  fhape  into  a  round  hard 
fubftance  i|r:ia^which  ftate  it  will  continue  for  feme 
time,  and  (ftlKig  thW  no  other  part  of  the  mouth 

will 

% 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


3P9 


: » 


will  be  affeded.  But  when  dried,  it  lofcs  its  aftriii- 
gent  quality,  and  becomes  benelicial  to  mankind, ior 
if  grated  into  cold  water,  and  taken  internally,  it  is 
very  good  for  all  complaints  of  the  bowels. 

WILD  INDIGO  is  an  herb  of  the  fame  fpecies 
as  that  from  whence  indigo  is  made  in -the  fouthcrn 
colonies.  It  grows  in  one  ilalk  jto  the  height  of  five 
or  fix  inches  from  the  groun^L. when  it  divides  into 
many  branches,  from  which  iifue  a  great  number  of 
fmall  hardbluifhleaves  that/preatd  to  a  great  breadth, 
and  among  thefe  it  bears  ^%elLow  ilower  ;  the  j  .i 
of  it  has  a  very  dif-igreeable  fCi^ot. 

CAT  MINT  has  a  wooily  root,  divided  into  fev- 
cral. branches,  and  it  fends  forth  a  ftalk  about  three 
feet  high  ;  the  leaves  are  like  thofe  of  the  nettle  or 
betony,  and  they  have  a  ftrong  fmcU  of  inint^  with 
a  biting  acrid  tafle  ;  the  flowcvr,  grow  on  Llie  tops  ot 
the  branches,  and  arf;  of  ^  fnlit  purple  or  whitifli 
color.  It  is  c.;dled  cat  mint,  bvcaufe  it  is  faid  cats. 
have  an  antipathy  to  it,  and  v/ii]  not  let  it  grow.  \t 
has  nearly  the  virtue  of  common  mint.* 

FLOWERS. 


.?wi 


Heart's  Eafe,  Lillies  red  and  yellow,  Pond  Lillles, 
Cowflips,  May  Flowers, '  Jeffamine,  Honcyfuckles, 
Rock  Honeyfuckles,  Rofes  red  and  white,  Wild  Hol- 
lyhock, Wild  Pinks,  Golden  Rod. 

I  fliall  not  enter  into  a  minute  defcription  of  (^iC 
fiowers  above  recited,  but  only  juO:  obferve,that  they 
much  reiemble  thofe  of  the  fame  name  which  grow 
in  Europe,  and  arc  as  beautiful  in  color,  and  as  per- 
fcdt  in  odor,  ar,  they  can  be  fuppofed  to  be  in  their 
vvili^  uncultivated  Hate. 

*  For  an  account  of  Tobacco,  fee  a  treatife  I  Lave  publlflied  on 
i\\c  culture  of  that  plant. 

FARINACEOm 


..J3»  • 


<^'' 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


FARINACEOVS  anb  LEGUMINOUS 
ROOTS,  ^c. 

Maize   or  Indian  Corn,  Wild  Rice,  Beans,  the 
Squafh,  &c. 

MAIZE  or  INDIAN  CORN  grows  from  fix  to 
ten  feet  high,  on  a  fli^k  full  of  joints,  which  is  ftiflF 
and  folid,  and  wEidi  gre^n,  atbounding  with  a  Tweet 
juice.  The  leaves  are  like  tjiofe  of  the  reed,  about 
two  feet  in  length,  d^^  tkree  or  four  inches  broad. 
The  flowers  which  1^  produced  at  fome  diftance 
from  the  fruit  on  the  fame  plant,  grow  like  the  ears 
<i»f  oats,  and  are  fomctimes  white,  yellow,  or  of  a  pur- 
j^  e^qr.  The  feeds  are  as  large  as  peafe,  and  like 
them  quite  naked  and  fmooth,  but  of  a  roundifti 
fm'face,  rather  compreiTed.  One  fpike  generally 
confifts  of  about  fix  hundred  grains,  which  are  plac- 
^ed  clofely  together  in  rows,  to  the  number  of  eight 
or  ten,  and  fometimes  twelve.  'This  corn  is  verv 
wholefome,  eafy  of  digeflion,  and  yi&kls  as  good 
nouriihment  as  any  other  fort.  After  the  Indians 
have  reduced  it  into  meal  by  pounding  it,  they  make 
cakes  of  it,  and  bake  them  beforje  the  fire.  I  have 
already  mentioned  that  fonife  iia5^l)nr,  cat  it  in  cakes 
before  it  is  ripe,  in  which  ftate  it  is  very  agreeable  to 
the  palate,  and  extremely  nutritive. 

WILD  RICE.  This  grain,  which  grows  in  the 
greateft  plenty  throughout  tlie  interior  parts  of 
North  America,  is  the  moft  valuable  of  all  the  fpon- 
taneous  productions  of  that  country.  Excludve  of 
its  utility  as  a  fupply  of  food  for  thofe  of  the  liuman 
fpecies,  who  inhabit  this  part  of  the  continent,  and 
obtained  without  any  other  troubie  than  that  of  ga- 
thering it  in,  the  fweetnefs  and  nutritious  quality  of 
it  attrafts  an  infinite  number  of  wild  fowl  of  every 
kind,  which  flock  from  diflant  ciimes,  to  enjoy  this 
rare  repaft  j  and  by  it  become  iuexpreflibly  fat  and 

delicious. 


other 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


30* 


OUS 


-ans,  the 

■m  fix  to 
h  is  ftiff 

a  Tweet 
d,  about 
s  broad, 
diftance 
:  the  ears 
of  a  pur- 
and  like 
roundifh 
generally 
are  plac- 
of  eight 
is  very 
as  good 
■  Indians 
ley  make 
I  have 
in  cakes 
ceable  to 

'S  in  the 
)arts    of 
be  fpon- 
LiQve  of 
:  Iiuman 
-nt,  and 
t  of  ga- 
ality  of 
o(  every 
joy  tliis 
fat  and 
:ious. 


dclIcxouR:     In  future  periods  it  will  be  of  great  fer- 
vice  to  the  infant  colonies,  as  it  will  afford  them  a 
profent  fupport,  until  in  the  courfe  of  cultivation, 
other  fupplies  may  be  produced  j   whereas  in  thofe  • 
realms  which  are  not  furnifhei^  with  this  bounteous 
jrift  of  nature,  even  if  the  climate  is  temperate  and 
the  foil  good,  the  iirft  fettlers  are  often  expofed  to 
Ijreat  hardfhTps  from  the  wmt  of  ^n  immediate  re- 
jfource  for  neceflary  food.     This  ufeful  grain  grows 
in  the  water  where  it  is  about  two  feet  deep,  and 
where  it  finds  a  rich,  muddy  foil.     The  ftalks  of  it, 
and  the  branches  or  ears  tfiatbear  the  fe^ed, refemblc 
oats  both  in  their  appearance  and  manner  of  growing. 
The  ftalks  are  full  of  joints,  and  rife  more  than  eight 
feet  above  the  water.    The  natives  gather  the  g?;ain 
3n  the  following  manner :    Nearly  about  the  tiftie 
that  it  begins  to  turn  from  its  milky  ftate  andto  ripen, 
they  run  their  canoes  into  the  njidft  of  it,  and  tying 
bunches  of  it  together,  juft  below  the  ears,  with  bark, 
leave  it  in  this  fituation  three  or  four  weeks  longer, 
till  it  is  perfectly  ripe.     About  the  latter  end  of  Sep- 
tember they  return  to  the  river,  when  each  famjiy 
having  its  feparate  allotment,  and  being  able  to  <5if- 
linguilh  their  own  property  by  the  manner  of  faften- 
ing  the  {heaves,  gather  in  the  portion  that  belongs 
to  them.      This  they  do  by  placing  their  canoes 
-clofe  to  the  bunches  of  rice,  in  fuch  pofition  as  to 
receive  the  grain  when  it  faDs,  and  then  beat  it 
out,  with  pieces  of  wood  foriped  for  that  purpofe. 
Haviiig  done  this,  they  dry  it  with  fmoke,  and  after- 
wards tread  or  rub  off  the  outfide  huik ;   when  it  is 
iit  for  ufe  they  put  it   into  the  (kins  of  fawns,  or 
young  buffaloes,  taken  off  nearly  whole  for  this  pur- 
pofe, and  fewed  into  a  fort  of  fack,  wherein  they 
preferve  it  till  the  return  of  their  harveft.      It  has 
been  the  fubjedl  of  much  fpeculation,  why  this  fpon- 
taneous  grain  is  not  found  in  any  other  regions  of 
.Ame^-ica,  or  in  thofe  countries  fituated  in  the  famp 

3  b  -p^rgUeJ^ 


ai 


3M 


CARVER'S  TRAVELS. 


parallels  of  latitude^  where  the  waters  are  as  apparent- 
ly  adapted  for  its  growth  as  in  the  climate  I  treat  of. 

'  As  for  inftance,  none  of  the  countries  that  lie  to  the 

fouth  and  eaft  of  the  great  lakes,  even  from  the  pro- 
vinces north  of  the  CaicJlinaSjto  the  extremities  of  La- 

\  bradorc,  produce  any  of  this  grain.      It  is  true  I 

4  found  great, quantities  of  it  in  the  waterjqd  lands  near 

Petroit,  between  Lake  Huron  and  Lake  Erie,  but 
on  inquiry  I  learned  that  it  never  arrived  nearer  to 
'  maturity  than  juft  to  blofTom ;  after  which  it  appear- 
ed" blighted,  and  died  away.  This  convinces  nie  that 
the  north" Wjcft  wind,  as  I  have  before  hinted,  is  much 
more  powerful  in  thefe  than  in  the  interior  parts; 
and  that  it  is  more  inimical  to  the  fruits  of  the  earth, 
after  it  has  pafled  over  the  lakes,  and  become  united 
with  the  wind  which  join§  it  from  the  frozen  regi- 
I  ons  of  the  north,  than  it  is  further  to  the  weftward. 

BEANS.  Thefe  are  nearly  of  the  fame  fhape  as 
the  European  beans,  but  are  not  much  larger  than 
the  fmajleft  fize  of  them.  They  are  boiled  by^he 
Indians,  and  eaten  chiefly  with  beards  flefh. 

The  SQUASH.  They  have  alfo  feveral  fpecies 
<)f  the  MEtON  or  PUMPKIN,  which  by  fome  are 
called  fquafhes,  and  which  ferve  many  nations  part- 

'  ly  as  a  fubftitute  for  bread.      Of  thefe  there  is  the 

round,  the  crane-neck,  the  fmall  flai,  and  the  large 
oblong  fquafh.  The  fmallcr  forts  being  boiled,  are 
eaten  during  the  fummer  as  vegetables ;  and  are  all 
of  a  pleafing  flavor.  The  crane-neck,  which  great- 
ly excels  all  the  other;,  are  ufually  hung  up  for  a 
winter's  ftore,  and  in  thii  tnanher  might  be  preferv- 
«d  for  feVeral  months. 


AOTENDl^. 


APPENDIX. 


30| 


APPENDIX- 


T    - 

X  HE  countries  that  lie  between  the  great 
lakes  and  River  Miflifippi,  and  from  thence  fouth- 
ward  to  Weft  Florida,  although  in  t^  midft  of  a 
large  continent,  and  at  a  great  diftance  from  the  fea, 
are  fo  (ituatcd,  that  a  communication  between  them 
and  other  realms  might  conveniently  be  opened  ;  by 
which  means  thofe  empires  or  colonies  that  may 
hereafter  be  founded  or  planted  therein,  will  be  ren- 
dered commercial  ones.  The  great  River  Miflifip- 
pi, which  runs  through  the  whole  of  them,  will  ena- 
ble their  inhabitants  to  eftablifli  an  intercourfe  with 
foreign  climes,  equally  as  well  as  the  Euphrates,  the 
Nile,  the  Danube,  or  the  "Wolga  do  thofe  people 
which  dwell  on  their  banks,  and  who  have  no  other 
convenience  for  exporting  the  produce  of  their  own 
country,  or  for  importing  thofe  of  others,  than  boats 
and  veflek  of  light  burden  :  notwithftanding  which^ 
they  have  become  powerful  and  opulent  ftates. 

The  Miflifippi,  as  I  have  before  obferved,  runs 
from  north  to  fouth,  and  paffes  through  the  moft 
fertile  and  temperate  part  of  North-America,  ex- 
cluding only  the  extremities  of  it,  which  verge  both 
on  the  torrid  and  frigid  zones,  Thus  favorably  fitu- 
ated,  ^'hen  once  its  banks  arc  covered  TJvith  inhabi- 
tants j  they  need  not  long  be  at  a  lofs  for  mei^ns  to 
eftablifli  an  extenfive  and  profitable  commerce. 
They  will  find  the  country  towaj'ds  the  fouth  almoft 
fpontaneoufly  producing  filk,  cotton,  indigo,  and  to- 
bacco 'y  and  the  more  northern  parts,  wine,  oil,  beef, 

tallow^ 


304 


APPE>J  DIX. 


tallow,  (kins,  buffalo -wool,  and  furs }  with  lead,  coji- 
per,  iron,  coals,  lumber,  corn,  rice,  and  fruits,  be- 
fides  earth  and  barks  for^dying. 

*  Thefe  articles,  with  which  it  abounds  even  to  pro- 
fufion,  may  be  tranfported  to  the  ocean  through  this 
river  without  greater  difficulty  than  that  which  at- 
tends the  conveyance  of  merchandize  down  fome  of 
thofc  I  have  jull  mentioned.  It  is  true  that  the 
MifTifippi  being  the  boundary  between  the  Englilh 
and  Spanilh  fcttici'nents,  and  the  Spaniards  in  pof- 
icnion  of  the  mouth  of  it,  they  may  obilru£l  the  paf- 
fige  of  it  atid  greatly  dilheartcn  thofe  who  make  the 
ilrll  attempts  *,  yet  when  the  advantages  that  will 
certainly  arifc  to  fcttlcrs,  are  known,  multitudes  of 
adventures,  allured  by  the  profpeft  of  fuch  abun- 
dant riches,  will  flock  to  it,  and  eftablidi  themfclves, 
though  at  the  expcnce  of  rivers  of  blood. 

But  (liould  the  nation  that  happens  to  be  in  pof- 
fcfllon  of  New-Orleans  prove  unfriendly  to  the  inter- 
.nal  fcttlers,  they  may  find  a  way  into  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  by  the  river  Iberville,  which  empties  itfelf 
from  the  Miinfippi,  after  palling  through  LakeMau- 
repus,  into  Lake  Ponchartrain,  which  has  a  conmiu- 
I'.ic.ilVdn  with  the  Tea  within  the  borders  of  Weii 
Fioiid.i.  The  River  Iberville  branches  off  from  the 
iViilTifippi  aboxit  eighty  miles  above  New  Orleans, 
and  though  it  is  at  prefent  choaked  up  in  fome  parts, 
it  might  at  an  Inconfiderablc  expence  be  made  navi- 
gable, fo  as  to  aniwer  all  the  purpofcs  propofed. 

Akhough  the  EngliOi  have  acquired  fince  the  lait 
peace  a  more  extenilve  knowledge  of  the  interior 
parts  than  were  ever  obtained  btfore,  even  by  the 
French,  yet  many  of  their  productions  ftill  remain 
unkiROwn.  And  though  I  was  not  deficient  either  in 
alfiduity  or  attention  during  the  fliort  time  I  remain- 
rd  in  them,  yet  I  muft  acknowledge  that  the  intelli- 

.  gence  I  gained  was  not  fo  perfe£t  as  I  could  wiHi, 
and  that  it  requires  further  refeaches  to  make  th& 

world 


APPENDIX. 


305 


litSj  bc- 

i  to  pro- 
ngh  this 
hich  at- 
fome  of 
hat  the 
Englilh 
in  pof- 
thc  paf. 
nake  the 
lac  will 
tudes  of 
abuii- 
mfclves, 


in  pof- 
[le  inter- 
Gulf  of 
ies  itfclf 
ke  Mau- 
conriiu- 
jf  Well 
from  the 
Orleansj 
ne  pvirt:?, 
tie  navi- 

the  lait 
iutcrior 
I  by  the 
I  remain 
either  in 
remain- 
e  intelli- 
Id  wiih, 
nake  the. 
world 


•world  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  real  value  of 
theffi  long  hidden  realms. 

The  parts  of  the  Miffifippi  of  which  no  furvey  has 
hitherto  been  taken,  amount  to   upwards  of  eight  • 
hundred  miles,  following  the  courfe  of  the  llrtam, 
that  is,  from  the  Illinois  to  the  Ouifconfm  Rivers. 
Plans  of  fuch  as  reach  from  the  former  to  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  have  been  delineated  by  feveral  hands 
and  I  have  the  pleafure  to  find  that  an  a£lual  furvey 
of  the  intermediate  parts  of  the  Miflifippi,  between 
the  Illinois  River  and  the  fea,  which  the  Ohio,  Che- 
rokee, and  Ouabache  Rivers,  taken  oa  the  ipot  by  a 
very  ingenious  Gentleman,*  is  now  publiflied.     I 
flatter  myfclf  that  the  oblervations  therein  contained, 
which  have  been  made  by  one  whofe  knowledge  of 
the  parts  therein  defcribed  was  acquired  by  a  perfon- 
al  inveftigation,   aided  by  a  folid  judgement,  will 
confirm  the  remarks  I  have  made,  and  promote  the 
plan  I  am  here  recommending. 

I  fliall  alfo  here  give  a  coiKife  defcription  of  each,, 
beginning,  according  to  the  rule  cf  geographers,  with 
that  which  Kes  moil  to  the  north. 

It  is  however  neceflnry  to  obferve,  that  before  thefe 
fettlements  can  be  eilablifhed,  grants  mull  be  pro- 
cured in  the  manner  cuftomary  on  fuch  occafions, 
and  the  lands  he  purchafed  of  thofe  who  have  ac- 
quired a  right  to  them  by  a  long  pofleflion ;  but  no 
greater  difficulty  will  attend  the  completion  of  this 
point,  than  the  original  founders  of  every  colony  on 
the  contiifent  met  with  to  obftru<Sl  their  intentions ; 
and  the  number  of  Indians  who  inhabit  thefe  trails 
being  greatly  inadequate  to  their  extent,  it  is  not  to 
be  doubted,  but  they  will  readily  give  up  for  a  rea- 
fonable  confideration,  territories  that  are  of  little  uf-c 
to  them ;  or  remove  for  the  accommodhtion  of  their 

*  Thomas  Hutchings,  E  q  Captain  in  hij  Maicfty'8  60th,  or 
Royal  American  Regimr nt  of  Foot. 


Bb2 


11CV7 


■m 


3o6 


APPENmx; 


new  neighbours,  to  lands  at  a  greater  Jirtancc  from 
the  Miflifippi,  the  navigation  of  whicli  is  not  cfleiv- 
tial  to  the  welfare  ot'  their  communities. 

No.  I.  The  country  within  thefe  lines,  from  its 
fituation,  is  coKler  than  any  of  the  others ;  yet  I  am 
convinced  that  the  air  is  much  more  temperate  than 
in  thofe  provinces  that  lie  in  the  fum«f  degree  of  lati- 
tude to  thccaftofit.  The  foil  is  excellent,  anil 
there  is  a  great  de:il  of  land  that  is  free  from  wood-^ 
in  the  parts  adjoining  to  the  Miififippi  ;  wiiillt  on  the: 
contrary  the  north  eadern  borders  of  it  are  well 
wooded.  Towards  the  heads  of  the  River  St.  Croix, 
rice  grows  in  great  plenty,  and  there  is  abundance 
of  copper.  Though  the  falls  of  Saint  Anthony  are 
fituatcklfiat  the  fouth-eail  corner  of  this  divifinn,  yet 
that  impediment  will  not  totally  obftruft  the  naviga- 
tion, as  the  River  St.  Croix,  which  runs  through  a 
g  :  t  part  of  the  fouthern  fide  of  it,  enters  the  Mifli- 
lippi  jufl  below  the  Falls,  and  flows  with  fo  gentle  ;i 
current,  that  it  affords  a  convenient  navigation  for 
boats.  This  tra£l:  is  about  one  hundred  miles  from 
noirth-weft  to  fouth-eaft,  and  one  hundred  and  twen- 
ty miles  from  north-eaft  to  fouth-weft. 

No.  II.  This  tra<St,  as  I  have  already  defcribcd 
it  in  my  Journal,  exceeds  the  higheft  encomiums  I 
can  give  it ;  notwithftanding  which  it  is  entirely  un- 
inhabited, and  the  profufion  of  bleiTings  that  nature 
has  fliowered  on  this  heavenly  fpot>  return  unenjoy- 
cd  to  the  lap  from  whence  they  fprang.  Lake  Pe- 
pin, as  I  have  termed  it  after  the  French,  lies  within 
thefe  bounds ;  but  the  lake  to  which  that  name  pro- 
perly belongs  is  a  little  above  the  River  St.  Croix  ; 
however,  as  all  the  traders  call  the  lower  lake  by  that 
flame,  I  have  fo  denominated  it,  contrary  to  the  in- 
formation I  received  i^m  the  Indians.  This  colony 
lying  in  unequal  angles,  the  dimenfions  of  it  cannot 
be  exa<rt:ly  given,  but  it  appears  to  be  on  an  average 
about  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  long,  and  eighty 
broad.  No  III. 


ATPI'N  Dl  X% 


StTf 


e 


e  from 

om  its 
:t  I  am 
c  tl^ati 
of  lati- 
it,  anil 
wood.'i 
on  the 

Croix, 
ndance 
ny  are 
^n,  yet 
naviga- 
jugh  n 
e  Mifl'i- 
;entlc  :i 
ion  for 
2S  from 
J  twen- 

fcribeJ 
liums  I 
ely  un- 
naturc 
nenjoy- 
ike  Pe- 
\  within 
nc  prc- 
Croix  5- 
by  that 
the  in- 
colony 
cannot 
iverage 
.  eighty 


No.  III.    The  greatcft  part  of  this  dlvlfion  is  fitu 
attd  on  the  River  Ouifconfin,  which  is  navigable  fcv 
boats  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles,  till  it 
reaches  the  carrying  place  that  divides  it  from  the 
Fox  River.     'I'hc  land  which  is  contained  within  its 
lintttS)  is  in  fome  parts  mountainous,  and  in  the  o- 
thcr  confills  of  fertile  meadows  and  fine  pafturnge. 
It  is  furnilhcd  alfo  with  a  great  deal  of  good  timber, 
and,  as  is  generally  the  cafe  on  the  banks  of  the  Mif- 
fifippi  and  its  branches,  has  much  fine,  open,  clear 
land,  proper  for  cultivation.     To  thefe  are  added  an 
inexhaufUble  fund  of  riches,  in  a  number  of  lead 
mines  which   lie  at  a  little  diilancd  from  the  Ouil- 
confiti  towards  the  fouth,  and  appear  to  be  uncom- 
monly full  of  ore»     Although  the  Saukies  and  Otta- 
gaumics  inhabit  a  part  of  this  trad:,  the  whole  of  the 
lands  under  their  cultivation  does  not  exceed  three 
hundred  acres.     It  is  in  length  from  eafl  to  weft  a- 
bout  one  hnndred  and  fifty  miles,  and  about  eighty 
from  north  to  fouth.  ^ 

No.  IV.  This  colony  confifts  of  lands  of  various 
denominations,  fome  of  which  are  very  good,  and  o- 
thers  very  bad.  The  beft  is  fituated  on  the  borders 
of  the  Green  Bay  and  the  Fox  River,  where  there 
are  innumerable  acres  covered  with  fine  grafs,  moft 
part  of  which  grows  to  an  aftoniftiing  height.  This 
river  will  afford  a  good  navigation  for  boats  through- 
out the  whole  oi  its  courfe,  which  is  about  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  miles,  except  between  the  Winne- 
bago Lake,  and  the  Green  Bay  v  where  there  are  fe-r 
veral  carrying-places  in  the  fpace  of  thirty  miles. 
The  Fox  River  is  rendered  remarkable  by  the  abun- 
dance of  rice  that  grows  on  its  fhores,  and  the  al- 
mofl  infinite  numbers  of  wild  fowl  that  frequent  its 
banks.  The  land  which  lies  near  it  appears  to  be 
very  fertile,  and  promifes  to  produce  a  fufiicient  fup- 
ply  of  all  the  neceflhries  of  life  for  any  number  of 
inh;\bitants,    A  communication  might  be  opened  by 

thofe 


3^8 


APPENDIX. 


itlicr 


through  the  .GreeiY 
Bay,  Lake  Michigan,  Lake  Huron,  Lake  Erie,  anc. 
Lake  Ontario  with  Canada,  or  by  way  of  the  OuiC- 
confin  into  the  Miflifippi.  This  divifion  is  about  oni 
hundred  and  fixty  miles  long  from  north  to  fouth,' 
and  one  hundred  and  forty  broad. 

No.  V.  This  is  an  excellent  tra£l  of  land,  and, 
confidering  its  interior  fituation,  has  greater  advan- 
tages than  could  be  expelled ;  for  liaving  the  Miffi- 
fippi  on  its  weftern  borders,  and  the  Illinois  on  its 
fouth-eaft,  it  has  as  free  a  navigation  as  moft  of  the 
others.  The  northern  parts  of  it  are  fomewhat 
mountainous,  but  it  contains  a  great  deal  of  clear 
land,  the  foil  of  vrhich  is  excellent,  with  many  fine 
fertile  meadows,  and  not  a  few  rich  mines.  It  is  up- 
wards of  two  hundred  miles  from  north  to  fouth, 
and  one  hundred  and  fifty  fsom  eaft  to  weft. 

No.  VI.  This  colony  being  fituated  upon  th<J 
heads  of  the  Rivers  Illinois  and  Ouabach^,  the  former 
of  which  empties  itfelf  immediately  into  the  MilH- 
fippi,  and  the  latter  into  the  fame  river  by  means  of 
the  Ohio,  will  readily  find  a  communication  with 
the  fea  through  thefe.  Having  alfo  the  River  Mia- 
mis  paffing  through  it,  which  runs  into  Lake  Erie,-^ 
an  intercourfe  might  be  eftabliflied  with  Canada  alfo 
by  way  of  the  lakes,  as  before  pointed  out.  It  con- 
tarns  a  great  deal  of  rich  fertile  land,  and  though 
more  inland  than  any  of  the  others,  will  be  as  valu- 
able an  acquifition  as  the  beft  of  them.  From  north 
to  fouth  it  is  about  one  hundred  and  fixty  miles,  from 
eaft  to  weft  one  hundred  and  eighty. 

No.  VII.  This  divifion  is  not  inferior  to  any  of 
the  foregoing.  Its  northern  borders  lying  adjacent 
to  the  Illinois  river,  and  its  weftern  to  the  Miflifippi, 
the  fituation  of  it  for  eftabliftiing  a  commercial  inter- 
courfe with  foreign  nations  is  very  commodious.  It 
abounds  with  all  the  necefiaries  of  life,  and  is  about 
wiQ  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  north  to  fouth,  and 

fixty 


APPEND  I  X. 


.GreeiY 
ne,  anc. 

)out  ont 
fouth,' 

id>  and, 
advan- 
c  Miffi- 
on  its 
of  the 
newhat 
of  clear 
my  fine 
U  is  up- 
fouth, 

)on  the 
former 
e  Miin. 
leans  of 
n  with 
Jr  Mia- 
ce  Erie, 
ida  aJfo 
It  con- 
though 
18  valu- 
n  north 
s,  from 

any  of 
:ijacent 
[lifippi,  • 
I  inter- 
IS.  It 
about 
h,  and 
ixty 


309 


. 


fixty  miles  from  eafl  to  weft  -,  but  the  confines  of  it 
being  more  irregular  than  the  others,  I  cannot  exafti. 
]y  afcertain  the  dimenfions  of  it. 

No.  VIII.  This  colony  liaving  the  River  Ouaba- 
che  running  through  the  centre  of  it,  and  the  Ohio 
for  its  fouthern  boundary,  will  enjoy  the  advantages 
of  a  free  navigation.  It  extends  about  one  hundred 
and  forty  miles  from  north  to  fouth,  and  one  hundred 
and  thirtv  from  eaft  to  weft. 

No.  IX.  X.  and  XI.  being  fimilar  in  fituation,  and 
furnilhed  with  nearly  the  fame  sonvcniences  as  all 
the  others,  I  fliall  only  give  their  dimenfions.  No. 
IX.  is  about  eighty  miles  each  way,  but  not  exa£l:ly 
fquare.  No.  X.  is  nearly  in  the  fame  form,  and  a- 
bout  the  fame  extent.  No.  Xf.  is  much  larger,  be- 
ing at  leaft  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  north 
to  fouth,  and  one  hundred  and  forty  from  eaft  to 
weft,  as  nearly  as  from  its  irregularity  it  is  pofiible  to 
Calculate. 

After^  the  defcription  of  ^.his  delightful  country  I 
have  already  given,  I  need  not  repeat  that  all  the 
fpots  I  hayc  thus  pointed  out  33  proper  for  coloniza- 
tion, abound  not  only  with  the  neccfniri^s  of  life,  be- 
ing well  ftor'!' '  with  rice,  deer^  buffaloes,  bears,  &c. 
but  produce  in  equal  abundance  fuch  as  may  be  term- 
ed luxuries,  or  at  leaft  thofe  articles  of  commerce 
before  recited  which  the  inhabitants  of  it  will  have 
an  opportunity  of  exchanging  for  the  needful  produc- 
tions of  other  countries. 

The  difcovery  of  a  north-weft  paifage  to  India  has 
been  the  fubje^  of  innumerable  (lifquifitions.  Ma- 
ny efforts  likewife  have  been  made  by  way  of  Hud- 
fon's  Bay,  to  penetrate  into  the  Pacific  Ocean,  though 
without  fuccefs.  .  I  fliall  not  therefore  trouble  iriy- 
fclf  to  crvmerate  the  advantages  that  would  refult 
from  this  much-wiflied  for  difcovery,  its  utility  being 
already  too  well  known  to  the  commercial  world  to 
need  any  elucidation  ;  I  Ihall  only  confine  myfelf  to 

i,h«  . 


,/» 


^r  H 


W 


3IO 


APPENDIX. 


m 


rm 


t'  ,  :t 


i  \ 


the  methods  that  ap  pear  itiofl  probable  to  enfure  fuc- 
cefs  to  future  adventurers. 

The  many  attempts  that  have  hitherto  been  made 
for  this  purpofe,  but  vhich  have  all  been  rendered 
abortive,  fecm  to  have  turned  the  fpirit  of  making 
ufeful  refeaches  into  another  channel,  and  this  mo(t 
intcrefting  one  has  almoft  been  given  up  as  impra£ti- 
cable  ;  but,  in  my  opinion,  their  failure  rather  pro- 
ceeds from  their  being  begun  at  an  improper  place^ 
than  froni  their  impradlicability. 

All  navigators  that  have  hitlierto  gone  in  fearch  of 
this  paffage,  have  firft  entered  Hudfon's  Bay  \  the 
confequence  of  v^hich  has  been,  that  having  fpcnt 
the  feafon  during  which  only  thofe  feas  are  naviga- 
ble, in  exploring  many  of  the  numerous  inlets  lying 
therein,  and  this  without  difcovering  any  opening, 
terrified  at  the  approach  of  winter,  they  have  haften- 
ed  back  for  fear  of  being  frozen  up,  and  confecjuent- 
ly  of  being  obliged  to  continue  till  the  return  of 
fummer  in  thofe  bleak  and  dreary  realms.  Even  fuch 
as  have  perceived  the  coafts  to  enfold  themfelves, 
and  ttrho  have  6f  ccurfe  enteriaiued  hopes  of  fuc- 
^eeding,  have  been  deterred  from  profecuting  their 
voyage,  left  the  winter  (hould  fet  in  before  they  could 
reach  a  more  temperate  climate. 

Thefe  apprehenlions  have  difcouraged  the  boldeff 
adventurers  from  completing  the  expeditions  in 
which  they  have  engaged,  and  fruftrated  every  at- 
tempt. But  as  it  has  been  difcovered  by  fuch  as  have 
failed  into  the  northern  parts  of  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
that  there  are  many  inlets  which  verge  towards  Hud- 
Con's  Bay,  it  is  not  to  be  doubted  but  that  a  pafiage 
might  be  made  out  from  that  quarter,  if  it  be  fought 
for  at  a  proper  feafon.  And  IhoiiUl  thefe  cxpc^a- 
tions  be  difappointed,  the  explorers  would  not  be  in 
the  fame  hazardous  fituation  with  thofe  who  fet  out 
from  Hudfon'j  Bay,  for  they  will  always  be  fure  of  :\ 

fafe 


APPENDIX. 


3J« 


fafc  retreat,  through  an  open  fea,  to  warmer  regions, 
even  after  repeated  difappointmcnts.  And  this  con- 
fidence will  enable  them  to  proceed  with  greater  re- 
folution,  and  probably  be  the  means  of  elfefting 
what  too  much  circumfpedlion  or  timidity  has  pre- 
vented. 

Thcfe  reafons  for  altering  the  plan  of  inquiry  af- 
ter this  convenient  paflage,  carry  with  them  inch 
conviction,  that  in  the  year  1774,  Richard  Whit-  • 
worth,  Efq.  member  of  Parliament  for  Stafford,  a  gen- 
tleman of  an  extenfive  knowledge  in  geography,  of 
an  a£\;ive  enterprifing  difpofition,  and  whofc  benevo- 
lent mind  is  ever  ready  to  promote  the  happinefs  of 
individuals,  or  the  welfare  of  the  pubUc,  from  thei  re- 
prefentations  made  to  him  of  the  expediency  of  it  by 
myfelf  and  others,  intended  to  travel  acrofs  the  con- 
tinent of  America,  that  ha  might  attempt  to  carry  a 
fcheme  of  this  kind  into  execution. 

He  defigned,to  have  purfued  nearly  the  fame  route 
that  I  did  ;  and  after  having  built  a  fort  at  Lake  Pe- 
pin, to  have  proceeded  up  the  River  St.  Pierre,  and 
from  thence  up. a  branch  of  the  River  Mefforie,  till 
having  difcovered  the  fource  of  the  Oregan  or  River 
of  the  Weft,  on  the  other  fide  the  fummit  of  the 
lands  that  divide  the  waters  which  run  into  the  Gulph 
of  Mexico  from  thofe  th-..t  fall  into  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
he  would  have  failed  down  that  river  to  the  phcc 
where  it  is  faid  to  empty  itfelf  near  the  Straits  of 
Annian. 

Having  there  eftablifhed  another  fettlement  on- 
fome  fpot  that  appeared  beft  calculated  for  the  fup- 
port  of  his  people,  in  the  neighboudiood  of  fome  of 
the  inlets  which  tend  towards  the  north-eaft,  he 
would  from  thence  have  begun  his  refearches.  This 
gentleman  was  to  have  been  attended  in  the  expedi- 
tion by  Colonel  Rogers,  myfelf,  and  others,  and  to 
have  taken  out  with  him  a  fufficlent  number  of  arti- 
ficers and  mariners  for  building  the  forts  and  veficls 

nccefl'ary 


3IS 


APPENDIX. 


neceffaty  on  the  occafion,  and  for  navigating  tlie 
latter  ;  in  all,  not  lefs  than  fifty  or  fixty  men.  The 
grants  and  other  re^uifites  for  this  purpofe  were  even 
nearly  compleated,  when  the  prefent  troubles  in  A- 
merica  began,  which  put  a  ftop  to  an  enterprife  that 
promifed  to  be  of  inconceivable  advantage  to  the 
Britiih  dominions. 


FINIS. 


\\ 


ig  t^he 
The 

re  even 

i  in  A- 

ife  that 

to  the 

